Jelta Wong

Wong asks for K3m for Gazelle’s rural roads

“Three million kina was budgeted for rural roads in Gazelle has not been received. I asked the district’s finance manager and he said it hasn’t come yet. Can the Minister please investigate?” Wong asked Minister for Transport & Infrastructure, William Samb.

Minister Samb said in the 2019 budget, K100 million was allocated for district roads.

“K40 million has been spent. Of this, a warrant of K19 million was transferred to Transport Department but was withdrawn, and K40 million was transferred to Works Department to be spent.”

Get rid of ‘free handout’ mentality

He made this known during an open forum on the Gazelle District School Fee Subsidy program at the district office at Kerevat recently.

For this particular program in the past years, it has been the norm for parents to seek school fee assistance from the Office of the Gazelle MP.

But this is about to change as subsidies will be deposited into East New Britain Savings and Loans Society (ENBSL) and parents can get assistance in the form of a loan.

Parents will no longer ask for free assistance for school fees.

MP disgusted with exploitation of Tubuans

“What I have seen and what has been shown all over social media is wrong and should never have happened,” said the local MP and Police Minister, Jelta Wong.

“There are no two ways about it, no excuses and no concessions you can allow for this.

“It is immoral, disrespectful and WRONG!

“I would also like to preface everything with a message to our ENB people – please do not take this opportunity to try and degrade the National Mask Festival as an event. This festival is a very important event on our tourism calendar.

Minister Wong aims to change district

He said this in relation to the start of emergency maintenance works on the Warapukpuk Bridge situated in the Lassul-Baining LLG in his electorate, which is considered a potential food bowl for East New Britain.

Minister Wong said by providing reliable access to critical services, the bridge will transform not only the communities but also the people’s potential to thrive.

He said with a secure bridge in place, students are able to attend school, workers can safely get to work and residents are not isolated from the nearest health centre and market.

Gazelle electorate prioritises education

This year, a K250,000 subsidy was set aside by the local Gazelle MP and Police Minister Jelta Wong for tertiary students around the country.

However, payments to the various selected institutions have been delayed this year due to the rollout of the Government’s new accounting system - the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS), which promotes transparency and accountability.

Incursions into gas areas in Gulf

He said the incursions are taking place in areas where the current gas developments and potential projects are situated.

He said a recent incursion was made on Monday.

Governor Haiveta said following the recent three gas discoveries in Kimu, Barikewa and the offshore field of Pasca and the upcoming LNG Project of Elk-Antelope, there has been an increase into the border by people from neighboring Provinces.

He asked if some policing arrangements can be done similar to the current resource projects in the country.

Incursions into gas areas in Gulf

He said the incursions are taking place in areas where the current gas developments and potential projects are situated.

He said a recent incursion was made on Monday.

Governor Haiveta said following the recent three gas discoveries in Kimu, Barikewa and the offshore field of Pasca and the upcoming LNG Project of Elk-Antelope, there has been an increase into the border by people from neighboring Provinces.

He asked if some policing arrangements can be done similar to the current resource projects in the country.

Meet with suspended police officer confirmed

Wong said ACP Isouve has been suspended on alleged disciplinary offences and the decision to suspend him is procedural; to allow for a thorough investigation to be conducted.

According to the notice of suspension, Isouve has been suspended for 21 days, which came in to effect on Friday 23rd of March.

Offences alleged against Isouve are as follows;

Guns to be banned in PNG

He said in order to do this, gun laws must be amended to be more stringent with people caught with illegal weapons.

Minister Wong signed a moratorium on the 4th of October 2017 banning the purchase and issuance of new gun permits to citizens across the country until further notice.

The Police Minister said: “I took the measure because of the increasing number of gun related violence and killings reported in certain parts of the country in recent times.

Pom police numbers questioned

He said being the capital there are major crimes whilst the population continues to increase due to migration into the city.

He said this when asked Nuku MP, Joe Sungi, asked why there was a high concentration of police in Port Moresby with most policing built in the city.

He also asked if the Police hierarchy had a structure and manpower ceiling in place and the budget to back it.

Minister Wong said Port Moresby being the capital and APEC 2018 host would obviously need significant police presence to cater for the growing population, mainly through migration.