Kairuku-Hiri to be separated in 2017

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, January 15, 2014 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG) 

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill announced the government’s intension to separate the Kairuku-Hiri District in the Central Province into two separate districts in 2017.

Covering over 10,000 square kilometres- the district is the biggest of all four districts in the province and with increased population growth.

Speaking at the campaign rally of former member and intending candidate for the upcoming Kairuku-Hiri by-election Paru Aihi, the assured intending candidates from the Hiri areas that would have their own spate electorate.

“Those of our candidates from Hiri who are running in this bi-election that you will all have your own electorate,” he said.

“I have already made a commitment to re-establish the electoral boundaries commission so we can divide this electorate into two electorates to Kairuku, and Hiri itself.”

“I know that these villages are big, I know that there is enough population here.”

“Many other electoral boundaries commissions of before have recommended that there will be two electorates.”

He said that his government would make sure that they divided big electorates like Kairuku-Hiri in order to enable government services reach every citizen of the country, highlighting examples like Kandrian-Gloucester Open and many other electorates around the country where he said were too big for one member to look after.   

Paru Aihi pointed out how difficult it was to provide adequate services to the district of its size.

“It has been a challenge for me having spent four years in the opposition to deliver the very basic goods and services to our people,” he said.

“Therefore I thank the Prime Minister for announcing earlier in various rallies that the electorate will be split in 2017.”

“The message to the people of Hiri and Koiari is simply to give me and let me be your last member for Kairuku-Hiri, and then in 2017 we can help you find a good leader who will be able to deliver and will join PNC and will deliver the government goods and services to our people here.”