FORMER GOVERNOR AIMS TO EXPAND SIMBU’S ECONOMY BASE

By ENNIO KUBLE, in Kundiawa, Simbu

Former Simbu governor and regional candidate Noah Kool addressed a crowd in Kundiawa on his focus to expand the economic base of the province.

In a rally in town considered emotional, the former one-term governor from 2012-2017 said the Simbu Government needs additional money from the K10 million Provincial Services Improvement Program (PSIP) funds from the National Government.

Mr Kool told a capacity crowd that in his five-year term he had set the stage for economic expansion through the airport relocation from Kundiawa to Kup in Kerowagi district.

Among other notable impact projects that he initiated that never went off the ground in the last four years were the Chuave Limestone project, the road connection to Karamui, and the Toa Hydro project that through feasibility study outcome can sell electricity to Australia.

Mr Kool said other social services which he initiated that got little government support were the Simbu Teachers College and the Nursing college in town.

He said Simbu has little cash crops, nil extractive industry, and limited human resource exports.

That was why the need to expand the economic base of the province is paramount to support basic social services in the province and initiate economic impact projects for capacity building to the people.

Mr Kool said he would focus on his policy platform once he retains the governorship seat in this election.

The crowd went wild after his 30-minute address and forcefully carried him into his campaign vehicle.