By CHRISTOPHER YANDAWAI
CENTRAL Governor Rufina Peter says she is committed to deliver all ring roads in the province under her leadership.
“I know I have nine (9) provincial roads that I must work on,” she said.
The Governor said there are three levels of government – national, provincial and local level governments.
At the provincial level, the Governor wants to see all provincial ring roads constructed and delivered for the benefit of everyone.
“Provincial government through the department of works and highways have allocated funds in November last year to build provincial ring roads.
“I was told, I have K8 million and I cannot sit and wait. I have to move with what I have and the national government must come on board through the Department of Works and Highways and play their part by releasing those funds.
“The monies are still sitting there. I have done my part by sitting with the Minister for Works and Highways and Secretary Wereh, as well as the deputy secretary who is responsible for the operation,” Governor Rufina expressed.
The Governor further stressed that for this year, she already instructed Provincial Administrator to ensure works functional grants that come to the province must be dedicated to roads and bridges and nothing else.
“I am not saying other areas are not important, but we know if we do not have access to proper road networks, nothing else moves.”
Governor Rufina was speaking during the official launching of West Mekeo ring road in Kairuku District in Central Province last Saturday.
This is one of the provincial ring roads that the Governor is expecting to be delivered as it will benefit almost 20, 000 people of West Mekeo.
“For me to come here, I understand what issue people face every day especially without proper road accessibility.
“I know that it is such a priority road and it going to address 19000 to 20000 people of West Mekeo. So it is money worth to spend,” the Governor said.
The Governor said: “three week ago, Mr. Peter Isoamo and I and the Member for Goilala went to Kupina and started the launch of road works into Goilala District.
“And now we are here and that should already show you the urgency in which I am moving. I told the people of Kupina, whether you are ready or not, whether you receive me or not, I come here I do my part and I go.
“The machines must be on the road. It must move in and things must be happening”.
Rufina said she is also looking at provincial ring roads in other districts of Central Province.
She urged everyone to work together to deliver not only the provincial ring roads but other important projects and development.
The Governor stressed that: “All of us to need to work together. We have such a great task ahead of us in Central Province.
“The time around us, the environment around us is such that you and I cannot rest.
“You and I must cut out sleeping hours from four hours to eight hours. You and I must get up and move. We must not sit down, chew buia and play cards along the roads.
“You are here on this road and you can see the changes that are happening along this road.
“There is no time to seat back and do business as usual. Youths, you have to wake up and do what you need to do. Men, you need to do your responsibility as well as women.
“Children who are in the schools must study hard. Times are changing and things will never be the same anymore.”
The Governor sincerely thanked landowners and Chiefs from West Mekeo for giving up their land for the road works to commence.
“You and I have to work together. If we are coming in with machines, you put the land, whatever else is there, let us put it together.
“Development is all about everybody working together doing your little bit so that together we can progress and prosper.
“I was very happy to come here because I heard so much about pain that you go through, my people of West Mekeo.”