The Orei ward 1 and 2 People Association of Imbongu District in the Southern Highlands Province (SHP) has taken the initiative to redevelop poor government infrastructure and services in their communities.
People’s Association President, Mr. Steve Nomondo told PNG Hausbung that the Association members have a lot of plans to bring to light, but lack funds to carry out these development plans.
However, Mr. Nomondo was pleased to mention that the first successful application development plan under the Community Grant from the Digicel Foundation of K50, 000 for the redevelopment of Orei Health Centre, is currently in progress.
“We focus development on our health center as it is paramount for the wellbeing of the community to have access to medical services, especially in such a harsh environment and rural community,” said Mr. Nomondo.
“We will reconstruct it’s facility to accommodate and serve more patients, improving water supply and electricity to raise the health center’s standards in providing quality treatment.”
Furthermore, Mr. Nomondo emphasized the future additional plans for the Orei Health Center to be transformed into a Sub health referral Centre for the Imbongu District Hospital.
Despite being located near the famous Highlands Highway with complete road access, the Orei ward 1 and 2 have been neglected major development since 2002.
More has been focused on politics while development seems to be over looked in the community’s public infrastructure and services, resulting in poor service operations and equipment to conduct proper service to the public.
Acknowledging that political affairs cloud priority development in Orei communities, Mr. Nomondo shared that the community came together to promote communication and collaboration for both wards to see development, focused on one direction to bring change.
The People’s Association of Imbongu District in SHP was formed in 2002 by the Orei ward 1 and 2 community with former candidate for SHP Regional Open Mr. Peter Noperi, to create a pathway to seek any form of assistance for basic development from private and government establishments.
No major developments have been carried out until now, under the Digicel Foundation Community grant worth of K50, 000 to improve infrastructure and services for the Orei Health Center.