Media gear up for polls

Source: 

The National - Friday, September 30th 2011

ELECTION is a commodity pro­duct that media organisations must take full advantage of and sell with care, senior journalist and broadcaster, Kevin Marai says.
Officiating at the Bridge election workshop for journalists from Momase, Islands and Highlands on Wednesday, he said an election was a very important commodity as it would increase readership, listeners and viewers.
Marai, who is executive director of NBC’s Kundu 2, stressed the importance for media outlets in the country to plan and strategise their coverage of the elections well before 2012.
He said it was important for the media and the Electoral Commission (EC) to maintain a healthy relationship and work hand in hand on voter education to help voters in next year’s election.
“As practitioners, we need to build a relationship with EC to enable easy access to information on the electoral process.”
He said the commission relied on a free media to provide election news to the public, help with voter education and provide direct access for contestants.
He said the media relied on the commission to help ensure a good regulating environment for covering elections and information on the electoral process.
 “Now that journalists are beginning to seal a relationship with EC, their organisations must make use of this opportunity to sell themselves with care.”
Bridge facilitator Gabriel Kaugla, who was speaking as a returning officer, said the 2012 General Election would be very tough and rigid.
 He said the election would put a lot of media personnel lives’ at risk.
He said this was why they would be holding trainings with security and disciplined forces to make them understand that they were not supposed to take full control of the election but to work closely with the media in accessing information as the public had the right to know.
The week-long Bridge Project, which began on Monday, highlighted cross-cutting issues like accessibility to the electoral process, gender, technology, sustainability and conflict management – issues that always appear and are deeply linked to elections in the country.

Govt sacks Wagambie

Source: 

The National - Friday, September 30th 2011

By JEFFREY ELAPA

GOVERNMENT has sacked Po­lice Commissioner Tony Wa­gam­bie, saying it is in the interest of the state and necessary for the stability of the police force leading to the 2012 general election.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said the sacking was “through no fault of Wagambie” and accused the ousted Somare go­vernment of mishandling the appointment in the first place.
O’Neill yesterday said the decision by the National Executive Council to remove Wagambie was not politically motivated.
Former deputy police commissioner Tom Kulunga will be acting commissioner.
Kulunga is an experienced police officer and was the deputy commissioner (administration).
O’Neill said he had advised the head of state to terminate the appointment of Wa­gambie in the interest of the state.
He said the revocation was done after full consultation with the public ser­vice commission and permanent parliamentary appointment committee.
He said the government’s actions were absolutely necessary to ensure stability within the police force over the next 12 months until the general election was over.
The announcement fol­-lowed the disbanding of the NCD fraud unit on Tuesday and the replacement of NCD central division commander Fred Seekiot and NCD me­tro-politan commander Supt Joseph Tondop.
Kulunga when asked to comment on the recent developments within the force, said he would not make any statements currently affecting the top NCD command.
He said he had learnt of the decision from news being relayed to him and was yet to receive an official notification from the government and head of state.
A senior police officer said Kulunga should look at issues affecting the police force such as the dis-
banding of the NCD fraud squad and the relocation of the top NCD command.
O’Neill said the former government had appointed Wagambie without concluding the mandatory consultation process with the appropriate constitutional institutions.
He said Wa­gambie was due to retire next July and his appointment was confirmed by the former government for only 14 months, contrary to the Police Act which required that an appointment must be for four years.
O’Neill said Wa­gam­bie’s retirement meant a new commissioner would have to be appointed during the crucial stages of the 2012 general election.
He said such changes would most likely disturb the command and control of the police force at a most critical time.
He said he could not put at risk law and order and the peace in the country during the elections due to a change of command and control in the police force.
O’Neill said Wagambie’s contract entitlements would be paid out so that he did not lose out on remuneration prior to his retirement next July.
He said cabinet had also directed that names of suitable candidates be sub-
­mitted to it for perusal

Rethink minimum wage rise

Source: yutok, Post Courier, Thursday Spetember 29 2011

 THE politicians are at it again – saying and doing anything and everything to buy their way into parliament. Free education, approving the minimum wage, scrapping the current Hecas scholarship scheme in favour of Natschol where students receive direct cash allowance, spending K4 billion on sports, passing the reserved seats for women etc.. the goodies list just goes on expanding week after week.
I do not know the rationale of increasing the minimum wage when the government is simultaneously funding free education which will increase the supply of graduates on the job market. When you increase the labour supply, the price of labour will fall, but then the government makes it illegal for the employer to hire people at a lower pay. This means a lot of young people out there looking for work or work experience won’t be able to find the work or get the job experience they need. On the job training opportunities will dry up. Shops, night clubs and small businesses that employ young people with grade 10 and grade 12 certificates, especially females, will now refuse to employ more because they have to pay a lot more. Consequently girls are more likely to turn to other things where they will be paid more money. We can expect with certainty unemployment, crime to increase, frustrating queues at the banks, service stations and all the shopping outlets – all thanks to the government.
How can the government spend K4 billion on the SP Games when it has not even addressed the substantive remuneration issues facing our doctors, nurses, teachers, policemen and defence personnel? That mony can address their concerns, improve the Port Moresby General Hospital and all provincial health centres, buy new medicines, improve the classrooms and facilities in all schools and subsidise travelling costs domestically for the most disadvantaged or isolated villages so they will have access to markets and basic health and education services. Where is the government getting the K4billion money - from LNG export revenue? This revenue flow is limited to only three decades, so we should be very careful on how we spend LNG revenues. We should be spending this money on where it will generate the most good to most people,Braxie,
Port Moresby

Polye told to earn, not buy leadership

Source: 

The National - Friday, September 23rd 2011

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

NATIONAL Alliance party president Simon Kaiwi has sent a strong message to Don Polye that leadership is earned and not bought.
Kaiwi alleged that the party’s regional and provincial executives were recently flown into Port Moresby, put up in a hotel and paid allowances to sign a petition recognising Polye as party leader.
But, he said the petition, when delivered to the Registrar of Political Parties, was rejected because the registrar did not recognise Polye as leader and referred the matter back to the party to resolve.
The same petition was given to the speaker who then recognised Polye as the NA parliamentary leader on Wednesday.
“What happened is the prerogative of the parliamentary process but, unfortunately, the speaker has been misinformed on the process to declare who is party leader,” Kaiwi said.
“Those executives have no power and authority to appoint or elect a parliamentary leader of the party. That is illegal.”
He said Polye, the Kandep MP, and his group had removed the National Alliance from government and then disqualified party leader Sir Michael Somare as regional member for East Sepik.
“Polye and his group decided to move to the other side and that is their prerogative. You can move out and use another name but not National Alliance,” Kaiwi said.
He said the 20 members of parliament had been expelled by the party and the process had been set in motion for the MPs to show cause by next Wednesday as required by the party constitution.
In a letter, dated Sept 20, 2011, the registrar wrote to Kaiwi telling him that he did not recognise Polye as leader and that it was an internal party issue.
“We have been petitioned by way of documents tendered to my office on Sept 20 to recognise Polye, member for Kandep, as the parliamentary leader of National Alliance,” the registrar wrote.
“We are aware that related issues are now subject of court decision and disciplinary process against some members of the National Alliance parliamentary wing has been set in motion by the national executives of the party. That includes Polye and the speaker and member for Sinasina-Yongomugl, Jeffery Nape.
“I advise that the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates does not give the registrar powers of intervention into party disputes and, therefore, cannot recognise who is the legitimate parliamentary leader until such
time all documents relating to its appointment have been tendered by the executives in accordance with the party constitution.”
Kaiwi said what was happening now was sad as young leaders were falling into the trap to get what they wanted at all costs.
“Is that what we want for the country?”

Treasurer expects 9.3% in growth

Source: The National - Friday, September 23rd 2011

By JEFFREY ELAPA

TREASURY Minister Don Polye expects the country’s growth rate this year to be around 9.3%, compared to 8% last year.
He said amid the uncertain global economic depression, the country had experienced an uninterrupted, strong and vibrant domestic economic growth driven by higher levels of economic activity in the non-mining and the construction sector of the LNG project.
Polye said the supplementary budget was the result of this unprecedented economic growth which was being shared among the people of PNG through projects targeting the rural areas.
He said major exports continued to grow and the prices of mineral exports of gold and copper rose by 25% and oil by 20%, which was above the 2010 budget forecast.
They were expected to remain high.
However, he said annual inflation was forecast to be 9% in 2011, an upward revision from 8.2%.
This was due to the high level of economic growth, a continued shortage of skilled labour and land which pushed up wages and rental prices, and higher food and fuel prices from high global demand.
Polye said the domestic outlook was positive but not without risk.
The theme of the K781.8 million 2011 Supplementary Budget handed down in parliament is “sharing the benefits of economic growth with the people”.
He said the government would improve the rural economy by ensuring funding was allocated to the right areas.
He said providing funding was as critical as implementing projects and delivering services

Polye says education is vital

Source: Home News, Post Courier, September 22,  2011

He said this was because they had worked so hard “without partaking in the benefits of the much trumpeted economic growth and prosperity”.
The second sector to receive the highest allocation is infrastructure with K230.8 million, followed by Health – K109.5 million, contractual obligations K94.5 million, agriculture – K22 million and law and order – K20 million.
During debate Mr Polye defended the allocation to the education sector saying it was not an intended “populist” policy as claimed by critics but the right of children.
“Education is critical if we are to develop a well trained and highly skilled workforce to meet the needs of the modern economy, and so that more Papua New Guineans can enjoy the benefits of employment,” he said.
He said the supplementary budget was balanced due to the projected expenditure equal to the projected revenue.
He also called it responsible, saying it took into consideration the high level of activity in the domestic economy, private sector constrained capacity and volatility of commodity prices.
He warned of the growth of the inflation in line with the strong growth in the domestic economy.
“To avoid very high rates of inflation, coordinated and better management of fiscal and monetary policies are necessary,” Mr Polye said.
“In this regard allocating funds to areas that will not add further fiscal stimulus immediately is considered most appropriate at this time.”
Mr Polye said the budget would use trust fund accounts to pre-fund critical development expenditure programs outlined under the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP).
He added due to technical delays in the 2011 development budget, implementation of certain projects totalling K116 million had now been re-appropriated into other key areas.
“Unlike the previous government the O’Neill-Namah government will deliver improvements in the rural economy by ensuring funding is allocated to the right areas by being transparent and accountable and by weeding out corruption in the system,” Mr Polye said.
“This is a supplementary budget of hope, for the future families of PNG, for our children.”

Marus: Polye is NA party leader

Source: 

The National - Thurday, September 22nd 2011

ACTING Speaker Francis Marus yesterday declared that the parliament and the speaker recognised Don Polye as the National Alliance party leader.
Marus, who chaired the parliament session on Tuesday and yesterday, said this as a faction led by Polye sits in the government ranks.
Marus said the office of the Speaker of Parliament recognised Polye with the 27 members of the party on his side who had crossed the floor.
He said Polye would continue to be recognised until the party issues were resolved.
He said the chair’s decision was supported by the election of Polye by the parliamentary wing at Minj during a national caucus meeting
This means that the faction led by Sam Abal now has 14 members of parliament.
Meanwhile, there are reports that the PNG Party is expected to increase its numbers to more than 18 to become the second biggest political party in parliament after two former members of the party decided to return to the party after leaving over internal differences.
Chimbu Governor Fr John Garia and Henganofi MP Ferao Orimyo left the PNG Party with four others and sat in the middle bench but decided to return to the party as it has a new leadership.
There is talk that the Works Minister Francis Awesa was one of those who defected to the government but is likely to join another party, according to sources.

It all starts with your house

Source: Letters - Post Courier, September 21, 2011

I WOULD like to comment further on my letter ‘Your house first, nation next’ which appeared on Monday’s edition of the Post-Courier.
Have you been spending enough time with your children?
It would be a shame if you spent so much time contributing to public cyber discourse, public service, community work and yet your family hardly sees nor hears you.
Have you been treating your spouse well? Have you been disciplining your children in love and not in anger?
Have you encouraged them to seek after wisdom by reading books?
Fellow young people yet to be blessed with that burden, how much time have you given to dreaming about your future children?
Have you thought how you’d raise them in a hostile world—a world that is sure to tear them apart? What values will you communicate to them when they come?
Bear in mind the most powerful form of communication is to walk the talk. God forbid our kids would be like those described above. Even as I write this, I shudder to think that I may be inadequate. Yet I hope...
In the days of old, a biblical hero named Nehemiah rallied his fellow Israelites to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
He and the people completed the task in 52 days! (A feat we would not likely match despite our modern technology).
His most effective method was to get families to build the section of the wall just outside or nearest to their houses.
And every family rose to the task diligently.
Each family would have had a father who would have believed that the greatness of Jerusalem counted on him and his family’s contribution.
He would have then rallied his household, shaped his family to be positive impacts of society. He would have been a good family man.
When my kids come into this world and meet yours...would they talk of great parents who taught them to be respectful to each other, to be loving and caring, courteous, to be honest and diligent, to be punctual?
To understand right and wrong using objective truth and morality (as opposed to subjective relativistic morality)?
Would they have learnt from their parents to be deep thinkers?
To have empathy for fellow man? To respect the rule of Law? To be Patriots?
Would they understand that the greatness of this beautiful nation depends not on great policies or economic models, or foolproof legislation, or on systems and processes; but on great people—starting with them?
I certainly hope those things for my unborn children.
I think about them regularly. Heck I even have names for them already!
I worry about what sort of world they will come into and how I would help them navigate these terrible seas.
I’m grateful I had parents that gave me direction.
I hope I would do a good job when my time comes.
And I hope that you would too...or that you are doing a good job right now.
Making our nation great starts where it should - my house first.
God bless PNG.
Heavenise Day!

Ganjiki.

Electing good MPs starts with us

Source: 

The National - Tuesday, September 20th 2011

GOOD leaders do not come easily and we need to be careful whom we elect in the general election next year.
As voters, our biggest challenge is to identify the most capable person to represent us in parliament.
Our votes are very important because it will determine the next government and opposition to take our nation forward.
That is why our vote is of great importance and value.
The candidate we mark at the polling booth is the choice we make for ourselves, our family, the future generation and PNG.
Our biggest challenge is to make that choice.
What are our weaknesses?
We allow candidates to buy our votes with money, beer, lamp flaps, pigs, cows, dogs, goats, guns, etc.
We are forced to vote along clan and tribal allegiance when we know that our wantoks do not have the qua­lities of national leadership.
We become cowards as we are afraid to stand up for what is right.
We must not allow others to dictate us, follow the group and harass the weak and poor.
Looking back, we made stupid and foolish decisions in past elections.
As a result, there is little deve­lopment in our electorates and pro­vinces while our members continue to enrich themselves and built their empires at our expense with no regard to improve our general well-being.
In a few months, we will elect new members of parliament.
I call on Papua New Guineans to think carefully on whom they want to vote into parliament.
We must not allow ourselves to be bought but let potential candidates  earn the right to be in parliament.
Listen to the candidates’ speeches, discuss among family members and friends, and look at the candidates’ educational qualifications and professional background, marital background, religious background, standing in the community, leadership qualities, etc, before casting our vote.
Papua New Guineans must stand against the use of fear tactics by candidates and their supporters.
All of us have a duty to proactively inform our families, wantoks and friends that choosing good leaders starts with us.
Stand up against bad election tactics like use of guns and bribery.
Protect what is right to select good leaders that can take this nation forward.


Samson Sigl Wena
Kerowagi 

Kandep to Porokale, Titip Margarima Road

This photography display is about the road section between Lakis and the road being cut off by swamp. Photograph was taken during a rainy day and did not come all that clear. All that is noticeable in the photos even in the heavy rain is the potholes highly visible. 

Within this section of the road, pothole on the road is highly visible even during this rainy season.

This is the section of the road where it has been cut off because of the swap which flood during rainy season. This an all important road as it links southern highlands Margarima and the now the much talked about LNG project area.

The New Wage Road via Kainyak.

Once the road via Lakis has been cut off, a new multi million kina road is being constructed by K Star construction of Wabag. The for the wire basket is being transported all the way from Western Highlands Province for this construction.

 This is the junction to the new road under construction. On the right is the new road while on the left is the is the existing road that leads to Pindak and Marinat.

 Road is being constructed across the swamp by building up level of wire basket. The one visible here is the 4th level of wire basket still under construction.

 Excavator at work here is on the other side of the river. The bridge has not been connected so the people who live on that side, the lower and upper wage people are cut off for now without any road access.

 Access to the other side is by a local wooden dug out.

Kandep wheat project to be probed

Source: the Post Courier, Wednesday June 22, 2011.

A K4.1 million given for a wheat project in Don Polye’s Kandep electorate which “evaporated somewhere” will be “thoroughly investigated” along
with other complaints on agriculture funds expended with little or no evidence of projects on the ground.
That was the commitment from Agriculture Minister Ano Pala in Parliament yesterday when responding to a question from Enga Governor Peter Ipatas regarding the funding of the wheat project.

The K4.1 million was allocated to the district during the 2009 cabinet meeting in Wabag, despite protests from Mr Ipatas. He asked Mr Pala if he
could send his officers to Kandep to investigate the use of the funds as it was allocated under the agriculture sector program funds.
“Despite some protests from myself as Governor of Enga during the NEC meeting in Wabag, various sectoral cheques were handed to districts.
“Among those distributed, one was a K4.1 million cheque for a wheat project in Kandep,” Mr Ipatas said.
He said the wheat project was an initiative of the former Kandep MP Jimson Sauk, which was later taken over by the Provincial Government and the
Chinese Government through a bilateral aid arrangement.
But Mr Ipatas said he opposed the direct allocation of K4.1 million to the district at the time due to lack of capacity and proper planning.
“Now, this is 2011, that money that was given to the district seems to have evaporated somewhere,” the Governor said.
“Minister, because the cheque was released out of your agricultural sector fund, I wish to ask you to institute an investigating team to Kandep
and establish where the funds are and if there is a wheat program that is ongoing in Kandep in Enga Province,” he asked Mr Pala.
In response, Mr Pala said it was his first question since he was appointed as Minister for Agriculture which brought some laughter among MPs and
ministers … “this is an interesting questing because I am not aware of the subject matter that is being raised in this question”.
“But this is very important because it highlights expenditure of public funds which all constitutional authorities should be answerable for and
if this kind of funds is being spent and there is no evidence of its existence, then the public ought to know. This government is concerned about it, everybody talks about corruption, abuse and failure of government systems to account for public funds.

“I think the problem exists all over the country, funds have been allocated, funds have been spent, and in many cases, there is no evidence or
little evidence of activities on the ground and I want to assure the Parliament and the public that this matter will be thoroughly investigated.

“This is an example of our commitment to ensure that where public funds have been spent and my ministry is made aware of it, we will investigate.


“This is the first time I heard of this and I will refer it to my department to do a thorough investigation into the whereabouts of this fund
and to see if it has been spent and where the project is,” Mr Pala said.

50,000 in Kandep cut off by landslide

Source: 

The National, Wednesday, May 4, 2011

A LANDSLIDE has cut off 50,000 people from Enga’s Kandep district off from the rest of the province.
The landslide occurred last month at Lian Mountain in the Laiagam district, which borders Kandep district.
A 50m section of the road carved on the side of the mountain was washed away in deep mud during heavy rainfall in the area.
It was reported that this had seen basic medical supplies at health centres, food rations at Kandep High School and trade stores running out of supplies.
Fuel and lubricant  stocks in Kandep station are increasingly low.
People there have been forced to walk 10km from Kandep station to Lien and 400m further down to catch PMVs to Wabag.
Sick people needing urgent medical attention are finding it very hard to get out of the district.
Reports said people found it very difficult to transport their produce to markets in Laiagam or Wabag town.
The supply of goods and services have been completely cut off, reports say.
The provincial works division has a local contractor, Kaystar Construction Company, to build a new by-pass road.
Kaystar managing director Paul Kurai confirmed this yesterday afternoon.
He added  that his machines were at the site last week and had started working on the new by-pass.
He also said landowner issues had delayed progress of the work last week but after he spoke to them they agreed to let the machines work on the road.
He said it would take at least four weeks to complete the by-pass. Photgraph showing a repaired section of the road in August 2011.

Polye challenged to name corrupt NA party members

Source: The National - Tuesday, September 13th 2011

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

DON Polye has been challenged to name those who were corrupt in the National Alliance-led government.
“Polye keeps on talking about corruption in the government he just left,” party president Simon Kaiwi said. “What has he done about it when he was deputy prime minister, acting prime minister and a senior minister in government?”
He said Polye should not continue to point fingers.
“He should name names. Is James Marape corrupt? Is Leo Dion corrupt? Is Sam Abal corrupt? Is Sir Arnold Amet corrupt? And, for that matter, is Charles Abel corrupt?
“You cannot give a blanket corruption allegation against the NA members of parliament,” Kaiwi said.
“We are not going to lie down quietly. Let some of them check their own backyard now.
“Some of them think they are clean but it is public knowledge that some are living beyond their means and are manipulating laws to suit themselves.”
Kaiwi rubbished Polye’s claims of being the NA parliamentary leader.
“Polye is not the leader of National Alliance in Papua New Guinea.
“He is claiming to be elected by the party caucus in Jiwaka. But, there was no such meeting.”
Kaiwi said out of the 41 MPs, Polye only had 16 in Jiwaka when no parliamentary
caucus meeting had taken place to deal with the leadership issue.
“For Polye to take over leadership of NA, a properly-constituted meeting of 42 MPs in a parliamentary caucus is needed. Don leads only 16.
“You need a two-third
majority for a properly-
constituted council meeting.
“The NA-led government was dismantled by a faction led by Polye and, by doing that, we lost government, the prime ministership and now we are winding down to lea­ders of small parties with fewer numbers running government.
“It is his doing that we lost government and, if that is not enough, the small faction then supports the new regime to disqualify the NA leader and East Sepik regional member.
“I myself, as president and chairman of the national execu­tive committee, cannot pretend that everything is okay and destroy the party that we built over many years.”
Kaiwi said the issue was before the courts but the faction, led by Polye and Ano Pala, had destroyed the party that had been in place for the past 10 years.
“What they have done is not in the interest of the party.”
He said that was why the council expelled the 20 MPs from NA.
“The remaining 21 MPs will consolidate their position and we will go out and prepare ourselves like all other parties for the 2012 general election,” Kaiwi said.

Polye: Enga needs honest leaders

Source: 

The National - Wednesday, September 14th 2011

ENGA needs honest and genuine leaders, Member for Kandep and Minister for Finance and Treasury, Don Polye says.
He said the province needed quality leaders and not people who were too materialistic.
Polye made the statements on Monday afternoon during a visit to Wabag town to attend the funerals of two provincial National Alliance party executive members who died last week.
He attended the funerals of former provincial administrator Michael Puiyo and businessman Poko Kanda Paki.
Polye, who was accompanied by party executives Rex Paki and Paul Kurai, told mourners in Wabag town and Waipu village, bordering the Kompiam district, that his visit was to pay his last respects to two long-time friends.
He said their relationship was not built on materialism but on trust and confidence which were important because they promoted goodness and unity.
Polye said the culture of showing respect during a time of sorrow must be upheld at all times.

Yapum to Longap, Taeteges Road

This blog is about the road from Yapum junction to within the next 10 kilometers of this road. The road author captured these images during the recent trip. Any further photos from that side would be highly appreciated.

Section of road just after leaving the catholic primary school and aid post.

This is a huge pothole on the middle of the road within 2km off from the yapum junction. Vehicle passing through here have to wade through the pothole filled with water about 0.5m deep. 

After reaching the pothole is this section where road appears to be a small bush/swamp track used for walking. Notice how badly the road link to that part of the district is needed for their every day life.

Vividly long visible potholes on the main road. Infrastructure services delivery on this part of the district is pretty much poor similar to that of the Mariant area.

This is the section of the road where the author had to turn back and return. Though narrow, the condition of the road here is in good state but not the section after leaving the yapum junction.

The same 0.5m pothole that was given in a photo in the previous pages but this time photo taken on the way back to Kandep.

Kandep Station to Kambiya Trip

This is about the Author's road trip from Kandep station (the district headquarters of Kandep) to Kambiya in the Mariant Constituency. The entire journey can take up to an hour and half to reach Kambiya. The author was lucky to have a portable camera on hand at least to capture images along the way for display.

Section of the road at Kandep station facing wiikam. On the left is the proposed district market for the people of Kandep.

Photograph taken from wiikam field overlooking building the newly renovated administration complex which appears not be fully utilized.
  

Newly built Kandep district hospital complex with staff houses at the far end on your right.

Section of the road at Sawi which is not far off Kandep station about few minutes walk. This is the door way to the Marinat constituency which is a home to more than 20 council wards. Notice the condition of road here and one would image the condition as we further away from the station.

This is the road junction at Sawi, on the right is the road that leads to Pindak, Mariant catholic mission, Kolopa, Kambiya and pura, lakalap and Winja and on the left is the road to Gini, Supi, Tinjipak and last wert

Junction leading to the newly constructed road to Margarima via Kanyak on the right. This road is not linked and is continuing. The cross over the bridge is bye wooden dugout across the river. On the left is the main existing road to Mariant.

A closer view of the said road as in the above photograph

This is a section of the road at Pindak which is not far off from about less than 5 kilometres from station. notice the huge craters on the middle of the road. Most PMVs do not go beyond this due to condition such as this one here.

Section of road before reaching Kimblam, the road junction to Kolopa, Kambiya and Pura and Lakalap and Winja.

This is Kimblam, the road junction as mentioned above. On the right is road to Kondo, Lakalap and Winja while on the left is the road to Marinat catholic mission, Kolopa, Kambiya and Pura and all these places.

Section of the road at Kimblam before reaching the Marinat catholic mission. This section of road is only passable by Land Cruiser and no other.

Section of road at Mariant catholic mission, road condition appear to deteriorate in condition as we move further away from the district head quarters.

Viewers might not be surprised at this scene as the story was building on. This is kanwaeng close to Mariant catholic mission and the road that leads to the home base for the Larop Kuprups comprising of 10 council wards. This and the next 2 images shown below are for this very sorry scene.

Because good road network is the key to any development health centers, bridges and schools to exist, one would quickly predict the type of basic service delivery on this part of the district.

There you go the bridges only meant for walking by foot which is the only mode of transport on this part of the district.

The state and condition of the road on this side of the district has appeared to be like this. Not long ago, this was once a road that was easily accessible by PMVs and people have utilized thsi service to transport their produce to Mendi town or wabag for sale.

This is non other than Mariant River, in Kandep District. Enga Province.

Mariant bridge taken from a distant. Photos below will show the state of this bridge.

Thsi is Marinat bridge. All wooden treated timber have decayedaway/removed and grasses and pit pit are being improvised for non other than walking by foot.

Looking down stream of mariant river from the bridge.

This is mariant river and at the background is Kasu.

This is Kalangi river bridge in Kandep district on the road to Kolopa and Kambiya. Notice the sorry state of the bridge here. The government's lack of services delivery on thsi part of the district.

Looking far beyond is Kolopa Homa and mountain momde range.

This is so called Kolopa Homa (Ples Singsing). The two council wards (Kolopa 1 & 2) here are a 100% support base for the Current Finance and Treasury Minister, honorable Don Polye. The photograph display above shows how services have been delivered for the benefit of the poor voters who have mandated him.

This is now Lake Papali located on the swamp shared mostly by Kambiya, Torom, Larop Pako, Mas Kikil of Momde and Mundip Maproph of Pura.

Photograph taken from a distant following the route as displayed above. At the background far end is the Kandep station where this journey started.