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Holding elected leaders accountable

The deplorable state of service delivery in the Mul-Baiyer Lumusa district has prompted the people to demand answers from their MP on the use of K100 million over 10 years

By PEARSON KOLO

ELECTED leaders in the country must know that they are always watched, most times with comments on the impact of their leadership in the districts and provinces they represent.

This is evidently being made possible through the media, especially social media, which is giving people the opportunity to post comments and pictures on the performance of an elected leader.

There are provincial and district online pages on social media where people are freely making comments or have become critics of service delivery in their area.

Keeping checks and balances on elected leaders and public office holders to account for public funds remain a cornerstone for many with the advent of social media and with the passing of the ICAC bill by parliament last year will go a long way.

As such, the people of Mul-Baiyer Lumusa district in the Western Highlands province are openly questioning their elected leader to name major achievements from their almost K100 million DSIP funds over the last nine years.

They could set a precedent in the country if they hold their MP accountable for funds allocated by the national government for services to benefit them.

Their   social media page, Mul Baiyer Lumusa Electorate online, has more comments calling on their leader, Koi Trappe to clearly outline the impact projects achieved in the district under his leadership during the two-terms he is MP.

Also in the district, the people are also raising pertinent concerns on almost every stalled project.

A councilor, Kipi Lamowa told this reporter over the Christmas period that the people have not seen any impact projects delivered by their MP over the last nine years.

Men from Kyaimanda in Lumusa, WHP fixing their road because it has been neglected over the years. Photo Pearson Kolo

“We are wondering what our MP has delivered to the people of Mul-Baiyer Lumusa and would like the officers of the Member to clearly outline their achievements for the best interest of the people they serve,” Councilor Lamowa said.

Former Mul Baiyer Lumusa district administrator Col Kamijua also stated that people must not be misled in thinking that the sealing of the Baiyer road from Paiya Bridge to Patrol Post was done by the Trappe administration.

“This road is an ADB funded project already funded during the reign of previous MPs and Mr Trappe must not score political points with this project but give credit to where it is due,” Mr Kamijua stated.

The people of Mul Baiyer Lumusa are also calling on the office of the Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) to confirm with the actual projects on the ground with the DSIP acquittals for the district over the last eight or nine years.

The people claimed that many of the projects indicated in the acquittals are only paper projects and there are no actual projects on the ground in the district.

Vehicles from Lumusa waiting to cross the damaged Lanem bridge, the only access in and out of Lumusa. Photo: Pearson Kolo

Peter Rot, young leader from Mul said it is an embarrassing situation for the people of Mul-Baiyer Lumusa who have not seen any huge impact project in the district even though their MP Koi Trappe who claimed to be the right hand man of the Prime Minister during the eight years of the Peter O’Neill Government.

“We must elect visionary leaders who will contribute adequately in the development of the districts and the people and the country as a whole,” Mr Rot said.

“A change of leadership is necessary in the 2022 national general elections for Mul-Baiyer Lumusa district of Western Highlands province.”

With today’s technology and modernization phase, elected leaders must know their roles and responsibilities and primarily serve the interest of the people who voted them.

People in many remote parts of the country are still living lives without seeing any government services like these people crossing a footbridge to their village. Photo: Pearson Kolo

Elected leaders in PNG must be held accounted and with the recent passing of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) law and the unrestricted accessibility to social media gives that added impulse.

If you think your Member of Parliament has not performed in delivering goods and services to your door steps, and you would like your stories to be told then email: news.sundaybulletin@gmail.com/WhatsApp #70219000/72017448

Ends…///

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