Making Hagen a ‘good place’ - Hagen Kona Kai - Hagen a beautiful place in Melpa language

By PIUS MON

THE recently launched "Mt Hagen Kona Kai" concept operations has been boosted with the presentation of three vehicles by Governor Tom Olga over the weekend.
Of partners who will implement the concept, Baisu jail received a new bus and a landcruiser each was given to the Law and Order section and Mt Hagen City Authority.
Governor Olga said his government's policy was to help those who wanted to be partners in development in realising his policies and visions.
"Partnership is the way forward in achieving any government policies and without that we cannot progress," he said.
Mr Olga said it also required visionary and dedicated leaders to provide the right leadership that would set the pace for positive development, adding that attitude was the major obstacle in achieving goals.
He said the country boasts of having a lot of resources, yet "we find that many pockets of our rural communities are not fully developed as we have chronic problems in managing and fairly distributing the resources we have". He said Hagen Kona Kai, in the local vernacular meant Hagen Good Place, which is one of his visions under the re-development master plan of Mt Hagen City, and without necessary support such as logistics and fund the concept would not be achieved.
Mr Olga said Mt Hagen City will be the melting spot, with developments such as the LNG project, and "we need to prepare ourselves and make environments conducive for investors and other development partners to do business without fear''.
Meanwhile, recipients of the vehicles describes Governor Olga as a visionary leader with plans and visions for the province and its people while at the same time pledging their undivided support in the Mt Hagen Kona Kai concept.
Chairman of Law and Order and PEC member David Maip said the presentation of the new vehicle to the program area would not only boost their operations but at the same time change the face of the city though their hard work.
Mt Hagen City manager Victor Megao also shared the same sentiments, adding that the vehicle would drive the concept forward. He said since the Mt Hagen Kona Kai was launched, the city had seen a lot of changes, especially in general cleanliness while at the same time it had seen a drastic drop in petty crime and pick pockets at various bus stops and prime locations in the city.
Baisu jail commander Simon Sobaim said he would do everything possible to contribute in achieving the concept, with the presentation of the new bus at this time.
In past years, he said, low risk prisoners had been used in the beautification of the city, adding that he was prepared to continue the same services.
Deputy Governor Wai Rapa thanked the Governor for playing his part, adding that the onus was now on citizens and other partners in development, to ensure that Mt Hagen truly became a Kona Kai place to live and work.
Chamber of Commerce representatives thanked Governor Olga, saying the business community in the province was looking forward to working with the provincial government, the Law and Justice Sector and other partners.