Gumine MP and Minister for Education, Lucas Dekena has outlined his reasons why he pledged his support to Prime Minister, James Marape and his government in light of the active motion of Vote-of-No-Confidence.
Minister Dekena stated in a statement that: “In the interest of my people, I pledge my undivided support to the current government and its policies.”
Mr. Dekena described Gumine, as the rural district located off the main East-West Highway in Chimbu Province being neglected through economic activities, is constrained by lack of enablers like roads, communications and electricity.
He added there is no cashflow in the district and parents struggle to pay for their children’s school fees.
Gumine MP further highlighted, public infrastructures have fallen apart in Gumine making doing business very difficult and flow of government services is hampered.
“I need a lot of funds to fix these problems and get our foundations in order,” he said, adding the Marape-Roso government is putting more money into the districts, ‘this is what my district needs to fix the rotting and non-existent public infrastructures.’
“The Marape-Rosso government is providing free education from preparatory to Grade 12. For 2024, K850 million is appropriated. Funds for the first quarters have been fully paid and we are working on the fourth quarter. This is relieving Gumine parents and putting money back into their pockets for other expenses.
Moreover, Dekena said that Marape-Rosso government is addressing the bottle-neck at the tertiary institutions through the STEM program.
“This is providing excellent opportunities abroad and more spaces for in country students. At least two Gumine students have done well in STEM.
He further stated, ‘Marape-Rosso government is providing second chance opportunities through FODE where students can complete their grade 12, sit for exams and apply through the same online selection process. More students are enrolling in FODE, over 85,000 enrolments in 2024.’
“I am aware of the need to open up Karimui and this road will go through Gumine almost 80% of the entire length shall be the “North-South” highway,” said Education Minister.
Meanwhile, he said: “Road is captured in the government’s Connect-PNG program for 2027, and a lot of funds have been allocated for this road, but we have not progressed yet. I intend to address this with this government.”
Education Minister said the Marape-Rosso government is following similar successful development models like China, Indonesia and others within our region, so I want to allow these policies to work.
“Therefore, Marape-Rosso government needs political stability to complete the initiatives it has put into place like debt reduction, growing the economy, resource benefits sharing, educate more children, connect the country to enable local trade, Dekena said.
The education minister stated the Opposition’s plan to cut costs, if they were in government, will negatively affect my district if the plan looks at DSIP, Connect-PNG and free education.
“These are going to exert more sufferings on my people and subject us to continuous isolation from the modern developments taking place in PNG and around the world,” he said.