Western MPs must deliver

I REFER to the recent media outbursts by the three Open Members of Western Province.
The democratic rights entailing freedom of speech and being elected representatives to the Parliament does not justify going to the media and blabbering out unfounded and baseless allegations against OK Tedi Mining Limited and Ok Tedi Development Foundation.
I am disappointed and ashamed that my three MPs lack the courage to invite Ok Tedi Mining and Ok Tedi Development Foundation to a formal meeting to establish dialogue and come up with remediation to address issues affecting the province.
I can say that Western Province MPs have been very good at showing off at the national level with little regard to issues affecting the province and districts (with the exception of South Fly MP and Deputy Speaker and Western Province Governor who are just serving their first term in Parliament). I am sometimes very jealous of what other leaders are doing in other province implementing projects and bringing vital services to their populace.
This makes me think and wonder if my members are very serious about their people.
There is no symbol of leadership at the provincial level and at the three open electorates.
I was very impressed with the Minister for National Planning Charles Abel who made it his business to set foot in all the LLGs in his electorate.
This enabled him to better see for himself the development needs of his people on the ground.
I challenge my Open MPs to set foot in all the LLGs in their electorates to better understand the difficulties the people face in their daily lives. This will lead to good planning and appropriate budget allocation. Furthermore, following up that monies earmarked for projects are put in good use and not getting lost in the District Offices or the famous Come Tomorrow Offices.
After so many years of neglect and despair, the Western Province people are beginning to see some hope. The introduction of MV Fly Hope has had a major impact in providing the vital link to basic services for the people along the Fly River. The days where people travel weeks in dugout canoes to reach the nearest centre is now of the past.
I thank God that He has heard my people’s cry through the leadership and vision of Ian Middleton and the board of Ok Tedi Development Foundation. The planes bought will also service some of the remote airstrips in the province which have been neglected for a long time.
We are also looking forward to the Pampenai Rubber access road and the Lake Murray Aiambak road. The telecommunication network established by PNGSDP in the province is another one of those that has revolutionised communication for an isolated simple villager.
These are what we need and that is creating the link to basic services for the people. This is development.My question to my MPs is ‘what major project will you be implementing to complement projects initiated by PNGSDP, OTML and OTDF’?
The time for talking and planning are long gone, we want immediate action and implementation.

Anua boy
Kiunga