Madang town was in a political frenzy in the last two days, with the presence of members of the Opposition and also the Prime Minister and his senior cabinet ministers.
Two attempts by Madang MP, Bryan Kramer, to address the crowd on Tuesday, responding to the Prime Minister’s remarks on service delivery at the airport project launch, and later at Bates oval, was downplayed by the government MPs.
The crowd that gathered to hear the leaders clearly had opposing views.
While it may all be politics, Madang town mayor Joe Yama, while speaking at the Bates Oval on Tuesday afternoon, appealed to the leaders not to fight amongst themselves.
“People want service,” he made the appeal on behalf of the 10 councils and people of Madang.
“Disla pasin blo pait mas stop. Bring service go inside lo ol people,” he added. (This infighting must end. Bring service to the people.)
The mayor asked for Madang township status to be like that of other cities in the country, with better water and electricity supply.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in response said last week, K800 million Ramu hydro 2 project was approved, and that would produce 180 megawatts of electricity.
He said this is in addition to another 189 megawatts from Hides.
PM O’Neill also said Madang must become the next big city, and it must be the driving force of tourism, business and agriculture.
(Madang MP Bryan Kramer facing off with the government delegation)
