NORTH Fly MP and Vice Minister for Mining and Border Development James Donald has urged the existing development partners and stakeholders including those potential investors who are willing to invest must consult with the relevant authorities in the district to avoid piecemeal investments.
Donald said running of parallel programs and projects had never helped in the overall development progress for North Fly District or Western Province as a whole.
“From now on, I would encourage any potential investors both existing and new must first do consultations with the authorities in the district. It is necessary because through consultations we can tell them what our priorities are so that the projects or programs they intend to run are align with our district’s development plan,” he said.
He said from the past experiences, and even up to now, the development partners have been running their own projects and programs at will, without proper consultations with the authorities in the district or province for that matter.
“I call on those key stakeholders who are one way or another that have a responsibility attached to Western Province or North Fly District must now avoid the style of boomerang engagements. Enough of all the ad hoc investments and piecemeal projects and programs. Stop the habits of running parallel programs and projects rather be part of the Western Province or District Plan and support fund the plan.
“We encourage you to support us in our key development pillars, which are health, education, agribusiness, and enabling infrastructures, mainly roads and bridges.
“We also welcome investments in areas of building our human resources, strengthening and rebuilding our public service, building capacities of institutions in our province, create Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Free Trade Zones (FTZs), commercialisation in agriculture, building key enabling infrastructures such as roads and highways to connect the whole district, as well as become internationally connected with Indonesia by road with proper facilities at the border entry points to trigger commerce and trade.”
