PNG DF is ideal for nation building

Since is no foreign threat to PNG at the moment and even if so, PNG can not defend itself alone. Thus the PNG DF should be used for nation building. More men and women should be recruited to the PNGDF, discipline them, train them and they will built PNG infrastructure. It will provide employment for our young men and women also build the nation. The building of the Mt hagen Madang road is a classic example.

As reported by the post courier
By NIKINTS TIPTIP



THE alternative Highlands Highway from Western Highlands to Madang is underway with two kilometres of the road already covered with clearing and grading.

PNG Defence engineering battalion from Igam Barracks has already moved equipment to the site and work started three months ago.

In a meeting with stakeholders in Mt Hagen, detachment commander Lt Sarufa Eka said the road will run from Baiyer – Mika bridge - Iki – Simuga – Ruti Valley – Jimi River– Simbai – Ayom – Ramu River – Transgogol and into Madang.

He said they will cover about 37 kilometres from Baiyer to Jimi River which is within Western Highlands Province and then proceed with feasibility work towards Madang.

Lt Eka acknowledged the commitment of 17 councillors and leaders from the Ukni Meiwo tribes who signed on behalf of the community to allow the road to pass through without any compensation claims.

“They wanted the road so they could allow for services to reach their villages and communities,” Lt Eka said.

He said while the road was funded by the National Government, they also faced problems on the site including communication, lack of medical officers or a support vehicle, especially a troop carrier to load their cargo during the wet weather.

“We cannot stretch any further with medical staff, as we are down with manpower in these areas due to downsizing in the PNG Defence Force,” he said.

The National Government has allocated K20 million for the project but funding is yet to be expedited for the project.

Lt Eka said PNGDF was not only there to build roads but also help the community in other projects.

“We are not profit oriented and therefore the Government can utilise our skills by providing the necessary resources so we can build this nation with less cost,” he said.

Western Highlands provincial engineering manager Issac Kumbomong praised the PNGDF for providing the skills and manpower to build the road.

Mr Kumbamong said on behalf of Governor Tom Olga and the provincial government that they were committed and would assist wherever possible.

He said they had already allocated a ten-seater Landcruiser and K100,000 to the engineering unit. Mr Kumbamong said the Highlands Highway was the lifeline to the Highlands provinces and it was appropriate for other provinces to assist with resources to speed up the project

Enga plans for five star hospital

Another plan from the Enga Governor. Health is very important and he should deal with it quickly, instead of giving money to Mendi and Mt. Hagen Hospitals to serve the people of Enga.
The Old Sopas Adventist Hospital was the best, but we spoiled it. It is now water under the bridge. Can it be revived?
Plans for a five star hospital for Enga Province are underway with Governor Peter Ipatas already choosing the Mendi General Hospital as a model.

Mr Ipatas led a team of American doctors and builders to gauge information and have a look at the Mendi Hospital which was a five star grading last week after an external accreditation survey on hospital standards conducted by senior officers from other hospitals around the country.

He said the National Government over the years failed the Enga people by not giving them a good hospital to take care of their health.

“For Enga, reasons beyond me, the National Government failed to build a proper hospital. When you look at all services provided, health care is the number one service for our people,” Mr Ipatas said.

He said Enga would have a modern hospital equipped with state of the art facilities for its people.

When queried why the provincial government was not providing incentives to attract doctors, the Governor did not give a direct answer but said:

“Misappropriation is rampant yet people are getting away with it.”

Mr Ipatas said he had an agreement with fellow members of the Southern Highlands Province during the LNG Benefit Sharing Agreement signing in Kokopo that funding for the construction of the new hospital would come from the LNG’s infrastructure development appropriation.

“Our provincial team is looking into the new hospital and we already have a project manager from the United States. We are also getting ideas on the equipment to be used with the help of our American friends who are professionals in hospital buildings and medical equipment,” Mr Ipatas said.

Though he did not give a definite date when the building would start, he said the idea started in 1998 and the arrival of the American delegation indicated progress was underway.

Meanwhile, Mr Ipatas presented K50,000 to the Mendi General Hospital for the purchase of an electrocardiogram machine to diagnose heart diseases.

He said the money was a contribution to the hospital for the services it provided to the people of Kandep in the Enga Province.