ALEKANO ZAGUSAVE VOICE INC LAUNCHED

By Vicky BAUNKE, Goroka

THE Gahuku speaking tribes of the Goroka District marked a dawn of a new era in launching Alekano Zagusave Voice Incorporation at the National Park in Goroka.

Alekano Zagusave Voice Incorporation Chairman Sydney Walizopa said with the country reaching 50 years of independence in the coming days, it is also timely that the traditional landowners of the Goroka town had a Voice to represent the people going forward.

Mr Walizopa said it took the committee 4 years to establish the group with the hope of setting a foundation for the Gahuku generations to benefit from the spin-offs in the development of Goroka town back to its glory days.

Mr Walizopa emphasized on the 5-year work plan of the Alekano Zagusave Voice Incorporation which is land mobilisation and management, SME and Agriculture, Service Delivery and town modernisation, law and order and Building of orphanage and youth empowerment.

He said much of the traditional land was given to the state by the Gahuku tribe for the development and building of Goroka town many years ago and the Alekano Zagusave Voice Incorporation was a would serve as an umbrella group for other ILG associations to give a political voice for the people that has been left out for many years.

The Executive Officer Mr Bill Seteri onbehalf of the Goroka MP Aiye Tambua presented a total of K50, 000 towards the association while the Eastern Highlands Governor Simon Sia presented K10, 000 as his personal contribution towards the group.

Coffee Tycoon James Pupune presented more than K10, 000 during the occasion.

Meanwhile, Voice Incorporation Deputy Chairman Aho Baliki during the event said it is the vision of the group that Goroka be a modernized role model town in the country while upholding its traditional heritage, identity and the dignity of its people for the future generations of the Gahuku generations to come.

Mr Baliki said with the increasing number of land grabbing and urban drift, the group will represent the interests and Voice of the Gahuku people as shareholders in the development of Goroka town.

The event brought together senior statemen, businessman and elites of the Gahuku tribe in all works of life to witness the launching of the Alekano Zagusave Voice Incorporation.

Dignitaries included Chairman of the Alekano Zagusave Voice Incorporation Sydney Walizopa, Deputy Chairman and Senior statement Aho Baliki and prominent leaders Bob Urakusei, Lesley Hoffman, Businessman and Former MP Henry Ame, Coffee Tycoon James Pupune, Goroka MPs office, including Eastern Highlands Governor Simon Sia and female leaders Marie Manhia, Julie Soso and Bilum Meri Florence Kamel.