PM assures assistance to Torokina

Caption: Prime Minister O'Neill.

 

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, August 14, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

NEW Member for South Bougainville, Timothy Masiu, has made a plea to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and for assistance for the people of Torokina affected by the spewing of ash from Mt Bagana, which the PM has assured the MP of the National Government’s support.

During questions without notice in Friday’s parliament sitting- Mr Masiu said the situation would worsen if current response efforts were not speeded up.

He raised concerns on reports of the National Disaster Office stating the unavailability of funds from the ABG (Autonomous Bougainville Government)authorities to assist with the disaster.

“Yesterday (Thursday August 11) page 12 of The National Newspaper the director of the National Disaster Emergency Services made some comments that ABG does not have funds,” Masiu said.

“The disaster has been ongoing for a month and is going the second month and Mt Bagana one of the several active volcanoes on Bougainville is erupting and it is affecting the people through it ashfall.”

“Water sources have been contaminated and gardens and the people are currently in this situation.”

He said his officers on the ground transported food supplies on Thursday night to give some relief, with more help needed.

“So I am asking if the government through our Prime minister through Treasurer, Finance and Bougainville affairs Ministers can take note and give some assistance.”

“If we cannot contain the issue in Torokina that is happening, there will be a big problem because the place is in a disaster prone area.”

“Now there has been heavy rains falling a lot of services will be interrupted like health, education, and other things.”

Prime Minister O’Neill informed the MP instructions to be made to the National Disaster Office along with funds to be sent to the affected community- while making mention of the need for the country to take proactive measures to budget in advance in light of natural disaster occurrences.

“I will advise the National Disaster Office to immediately to look into the assistance they will give to our people in Torokina.”

“I will also give through my own office some little funds to immediately release some supplies to the displaced people in Torokina.”

“But we need to continue to manage many disasters that we continue to face in the country.”

“It is important now after all these experiences of long droughts now in the past few year- each year we need to provide sufficient funds for the disaster office to manage with the intervention is required to give from time to time.”