By MIRIAM MALAWA
SPEAKER of Parliament Hon Job Pomat has raised concerns about the state of his district and province, Manus.
Returning from a visit to the province, he shared observations and sought clarity on key issues affecting the area.
One of the primary concerns he raised was regarding the naval base in Manus.
Pomat questioned the Prime Minister Hon James about the status of a contract associated with the base, stating that the contracted company was scaling down its operations.
He expressed dismay over reports that usable materials, including machinery and power tools, were being destroyed and buried in pits instead of being repurposed.
Pomat argued that these materials could have been handed over to the Manus Provincial Government to aid local development initiatives.
Reflecting on the inception of the asylum seekers program in Manus, Pomat noted that while the program initially brought significant aid to the province, the area has not benefitted equitably from subsequent funding. Citing an example, he pointed out that when significant funding for hospitals was provided by the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments, most of the money went to Angau Hospital, leaving Manus with only a small allocation.
Pomat also highlighted the dire state of educational infrastructure in his district, with school dormitories and classrooms falling into disrepair.
He stated that the District Development Authority was scrambling to secure funds to rehabilitate these buildings during the holiday period.
He reiterated his plea for access to the materials being discarded at the naval base, noting that they could be repurposed for these much-needed renovations.
In response, PM Marape acknowledged the contributions of the people of Manus and thanked them for their efforts in supporting the work at the naval base.
He assured Parliament that he would request a full briefing from the Defence Minister regarding the demobilization of contractors and the handling of leftover materials.
Marape announced that Manus would receive its allocated budget for 2025, with additional special support earmarked for the province.
He also committed to bolstering the education sector in Manus, noting that while part of the funding for restoration had already been delivered, the remaining support would soon follow.
PM Marape stressed Manus’ historical importance as a human resource capital in PNG’s early days.
He also revealed plans to transform the former asylum seekers’ center into a college, although he acknowledged that ground-level issues needed to be resolved first.
Marape assured the House that he would engage with the Australian High Commissioner to discuss the situation further.
He also pledged to investigate the materials left behind at the naval base and ensure that salvageable resources were reserved for Manus’ development.
PM Marape said that but Manus, like every other province, is entitled to its fair share of national support.
