Deputy Opposition Leader Sam Basil challenged the National Government to put more money into developing the rural areas, where 85 percent of the population live.
“Too much funds wasted in Port Moresby alone,” the Bulolo MP said, comparing the pace of development in the Nation’s Capital to provincial centres.
“If the majority of the rural population want their rural province, districts and LLGs to develop, then they must vote PNC out in the next general election.
“The ruling PNC Party's priority in developing PNG is all wrong, while they are planning to build Port Moresby city into another level, like Cairns or Brisbane City, then they must look at how the Australian Government has invested back into their outback before building their cities,” Basil said.
He said agriculture is still the country’s backbone and proper infrastructure must be built to provide avenue for farmers to access markets.
“Rural road links to provide access to market for cash crops into provincial capital and also link mainland provinces into the Nations’ Capital must be done,” Basil said.
“The National Government must open access to all farmers and industries from our rural settings, so everybody can particulate meaningfully across the board.
“Port Moresby will continue to see changes while the rural areas will remain stagnant for many years to come.”