Daru Island, as small as it may seem in both landmass and population size, has needs far greater than anyone could imagine.
The deteriorating state of the island in Western Province is blamed on the lack of political will, as Town Mayor Samuel Wingu pointed out.
Daru Island has a population of about 20,000 people while the island itself is as big as a suburb from Port Moresby or Lae City.
One would think that given its size, including being part of the few Torres Strait Islands, Daru and its people would be well off.
Sadly, this is not the case.
The island has bad road systems, a health system that is rundown and can barely sustain the TB epidemic and other health issues, failing school infrastructure, rundown public amenities like post offices and the list goes on.
“We have politicians that come and go, we have had administrators come and go and provincial planners the same too but none of them have planned the Town properly and now the people are suffering,” said Town Mayor Wingu.
As if that isn’t enough, the Town has been without proper running water for a month and counting.
Added to this is the absence of a proper sewerage system.
“I have to make a lot of noise so that the government’s attention can be thrown this way.
“The people are suffering,” added Wingu.
Capturing all these needs, Wingu has drawn up a Daru Town rehabilitation project plan with an estimated cost of K250 million.
He is adamant on embarking on the Daru Town Rehabilitation Project that covers state facilities and amenities, improving the provincial headquarters and capacity building for Daru LLG.
The project has so far gained the approval of Daru LLG and the District Development Authority.
Wingu has also had an audience with National Planning Minister Richard Maru but is yet to establish dialogue with other relevant ministers before an official presentation of the plan to the government can be set.
“The presentation is to get the government’s attention and hand them the project document and look into ways that can help rehabilitate the rundown state of the Town,” Wingu stated.