Eastern Highlands

The PNG One Nation Party Leader was welcomed on Wednesday by Prime Minister James Marape and coalition members.

“I am happy that Governor Numu is making that call at this juncture in this Parliaments life, and this sort of affirmation of solidarity gives certainty t our Government to hold fort until we conclude this term of parliament,” said Marape.

Numu joins the coalition Government after leaving the Government rans under the former coalition led by   Ialibu-Pangi MP, Peter O’Neill.

They expressed their frustrations in Komunive Village in the Asaro Valley of Eastern Highlands, in the presence of Tourism Arts and Culture Minister, Emil Tammur, Tourism Promotion Authority CEO, Jerry Agus and Eastern Highlands Deputy Governor Eastern Highlands, John Mipo.

A candidate in the Goroka open seat recently posted pictures on social media alleging that people are voting at will, without any control from the polling officials.

Koupa, when asked about the claims, said the presiding officer, at that time, allowed that to happen in order to complete polling on time.

"Sometimes, when polling is late, the presiding officer had to act on the best interest of the people by allowing them to vote and really don't need to call the roll."

"To me it's not hijacking of the election process," Koupa stated.

One of the districts currently in this situation is Daulo.

With a voting population of about 48,000, candidates say the updated Electoral Roll does not match the voting population.

Spokesperson Benny Kimisive states: “We cannot cast our vote now as it will be illegal because most of the election materials are not ready.

“Even the polling venues have not been allocated yet,” he said.

The other issue the candidates raised was the gazetted polling areas, where most of the venues have been changed.

However, he is confident to deliver the election in the province on time despite this financial situation.

He said this election is dedicated to the people and they cannot sit and worry about the funding but to go ahead with the polling schedules.

Koupa told Loop PNG that the funds budgeted to them was less compared to the previous elections.

He claims they were only given K900,000 for the election operations.

Eastern Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Alex N’Drasel said 700 personnel from NCD, Lae and Madang will be joining the 316 local police officers.

Police from NCD and Lae, including CS officers have already arrived in the province.

PPC N’Drasel said the PNG Defence Force Quick Response Unit will be arriving this week.

The province has been divided into two commands for Election Security Operation - an Eastern and Western Command.

The Commanders of the two zones are responsible for security there.

Reports from Goroka stated that local police had to intervene and use force in a campaign rally yesterday (Tuesday) after the crowd became disruptive while the prime minster was speaking.   

The rally was for PNC candidate and Governor Julie Soso.       

PM Peter O’Neill told Loop PNG that disturbance was caused by a few people under the influence of alcohol.

“People sat down and listened for over 45 minutes of my speech,” said the PM.

“Police present were the only ones allocated to PM’s office.

Juffa recently travelled to Henganofi, Okapa, Kainantu and Lufa in Eastern Highlands to endorse his candidates.

Thousands of people gathered to hear Juffa speak on issues pertaining to land ownership, economy and the future of the country.

Juffa spoke passionately about the need for assertive leadership which is needed to protect PNG’s interest.

He also highlighted the lack of such leadership that had seen PNG lose control of its resource economy and thus its ability to design a prosperous and secure future.

Accompanied by his Eastern Highlands Regional candidate, Castan Maibawa, Polye entered Kainantu by helicopter to a rousing welcome where he made the assurance.

Polye claims the government had bulldozed the project without having a round table discussion to address landownership issues.

He has also promised that during his first 100 days in office, he and Kainantu Open Candidaate, Ovo Buni Kaka, would deliver a modern market facility, water supply and, sanitation and sewage project for the station.

In the first quarter of 20-17, the community received training from the Aiyura Fisheries office on how to dig fish ponds and piping of inlets and outlets for excessive water.

Barola coffee cooperative leader Mine Miefa said they have 22 fish ponds and each one contracted to a family and youth group in the community.

Miefa said it’s a great start to supporting their income generating activities.

The community also constructed a water supply system about 3 kilometres from the Barola Mountain to the village, for the fish ponds.