AGAROBE: DOING IT THE CENTRAL WAY

CENTRAL Province Governor Robert Agarobe says his people have been cheated and lied upon by the government with no tangible benefits towards improving the livelihood of people in rural communities.

“We (Central) completely lost the right to have an identity as a province,” says Governor Agarobe when speaking at a rally hosted by Koiari leaders at Lake Sirinumu on Sunday.

“We lost our ancient fishing and hunting grounds for white men to alter the flow of Laloki River to generate electricity and water supply for Port Moresby city. We have lost almost 90 per cent of land through urbanisation in Port Moresby for national interest as well as interests for corrupt individuals.”

Governor Agarobe also pointed out that Central’s land boundaries with the National Capital District have been constantly changed to facilitate further encroachment in the likes of the Motukea Port and the Konebada Petroleum Park.

“The first LNG pipeline and plant on our land is another big time loss. And yet we are not a party to the terms and conditions of the second and third LNG Projects in the pipeline. We have lost a lot and we will continue to lose if nothing drastic is done to change this trend”

He says the fanfare of the Bautama Central City and the Provincial Hospital are political lies and it’s all about dangling a carrot to master political convenience for other people.

“Since I was elected into Parliament, I used the mandate of you my people of Central province to restore the identity and destiny of the province. I am looking at what kind of change we will bring to the province in twenty to fifty years from now.”

In June 2018 Governor Agarobe presented a petition to Parliament for Port Moresby city to come under Central province so that a fair amount of revenue is given back to the host province.

However, he says the game of sabotaging, denying and suppressing the constitutional mandate of elected leaders is a direct attack on the people that voted them and democracy.

The Opposition MP says Central province has a strategic direction captured in a white paper policy document and alignments and restructures are progressing at this stage.

He further stated that sustainability of the policies and plans in government depends entirely on Political Will.

“For us in Central Province, I find that we will not go anywhere with our grand vision and plans under the current O’Neill government.”

Governor Agarobe also reaffirms his stance with the Alternate Government for the upcoming Vote of No Confidence.

“I moved from Government to the Opposition without fear or favour in the best interest of the people of Central province. I will exercise in full the power of you my people of Central to change the O'Neill Government in the coming VONC.”