A Memorandum of Understanding was signed recently between the chiefs and councillors of West Mekeo and the Central Province Governor Hon. Ruffina Peter in West Mekeo over the weekend to see the start of a brand new Mekeo Veifa Road.
Central Governor who was there over the weekend on Saturday thanked the people of Mekeo and Kairuku for allowing the new Mekeo Veifa Road to commence. Governor Ruffina said that there is a great task ahead for Central Province, and all must work together because times and the environment around are changing and people living along the roadside can see the changes happening.
“The Connect PNG Program will change the way you seat, settle and do your daily business,” she said. “Development is about working together, you doing your bit and together we progress and prosper and I thank the chiefs for giving your land, 20 metre or 40 metre for road development.”
The Central Governor stated that this road will be developed to address law and order, because so many times the people of Aipiana, Veifa, Kenga and other villages in land often face harassment by the youths from Inaui village, and this road will create a route around Inaui village so that travelling passengers do not have to face harassment anymore.
“This is a priority road, and it will benefit about 19-20,000 population, so I am happy to say the functional grants are well spent.”
Ruffina added that the Provincial Government was allocated K8milion through the department of Works and with what she has on hand she had to move and start projects, especially road projects in the Central Province.
“This year 2023, I have spoken with the Provincial Administrator, Mr Koava that the functional grants, works functional grants that come to the province must all be dedicated to building roads and bridges.”
“My focus is road and bridges, not schools or any other projects yet because if we do not have access, nothing else will move in the district.”
“With the MOU signed and Road Project launched, my job now is to knock on the door of Works Minister Solon Mirisen and tell him that work has started on West Mekeo Road and Moina Highways so please release funds to complete this road.”
Rufina added also that there are 9 provincial roads that she will focus on to get them fixed.
“I have started in Goilala, this Bereina Veifa to West Mekeo Road, I still have Rigo, Abau, Koiari and Kairuku ring road down from Isiu and others that I will look into and all districts’ roads belong to the open members so the local members must do their part also.”
She also added that Transport Infrastructure is her number one priority which she has tapped into now, Law and Order, Integral Human Development, Income earning areas (SME) and Internal Revenue for the Province are other Priority areas that she and her provincial government will prioritise on.
“I ask the Provincial Administrator that any funding that comes from the National Government to the Provincial works must all be made available to push and complete all the provincial roads.”
In appreciation of the launching of the new Veifa West Mekeo Road, Chief Iso Aimo, expressed gratitude towards Governor Ruffina stating that this their cried been heard.
“On many occasions, I have apologised to the Chiefs and the people of Aipiana, Veifa and Kenge village for the actions of my village people especially the youths for their misconducts and harassment towards the other village.”
“Because of this Law-and-Order problem in Inaui village, I met with chiefs from the other villages, law and order Chairman for Central Province including policemen and police hierarchy last November and we made a commitment, and a petition was handed over to Governor to find a solution to this ongoing Law and order problem caused by the Inaui youths,”
“Today I am happy man, although a private citizen now, our petition was granted,” said Mr Aimo.
Governor Rufina acknowledges Mr Aimos enthusiasm and thanked all the people of West Mekeo for giving portion of their land for the road work to commence and he urged the youth of Inaui to change because better things are coming to change Central Province, and no one must be left behind in tangible development and progresses.