NOT ALL YOU READ, HEAR AND WATCH ON PNG SOCIAL MEDIA ARE TRUE

By Andy Panguali

Transformation PNG WhatsApp group post

Port Moresby

20th March, 2025

"I have had a lot of respect for social media writers(name with-held) on some of the hard stance on National Issues however, I cannot let this one go unchallenged as it portrays a biased and half-truth about Tari Pori Electorate and My MP. Hon. Prime Minister James Marape.

Tari-Pori District has seen significant improvements in infrastructure over the past five to seven years, particularly in road development. Many loop roads that were once impassable have now been upgraded, allowing public transport to operate in areas where buses could not run 15 years ago. These improvements have provided better accessibility for local communities especially in parts of Tari Pori District.

One of the key road projects currently underway is being undertaken by a local contractor, led by Malex Auu, through a counter-funding arrangement under the Tax Credit Scheme. While some smaller roads, such as the one AndaPanga tracked, remain undeveloped and services, due to uncontrollable factors such as ongoing tribal fights. The larger and more critical road networks are being systematically constructed and roads like the one AndaPanga filmed will also be reached and maintained. However, in his video, he chose not to acknowledge these ongoing developments, which paints an incomplete picture of the situation on the ground.

The Pori Road, a major access route, has been under construction and upgrade by the Tari-Pori District Development Corporation (TPDC) since 2019. This project is progressing well and will provide a vital link for communities in the District once completed. We must also know that, Pori District is a very challenging geographical area with high Rocky Mountains coupled with law and order problems.

One of the most important issues to consider are the security challenges that have impacted road development in certain areas in the electorate. For example the video posted with a blue 10 seater bogging, is Kela 1, 2, and 3 road which have remained idle for the past 10 years because it is located in an active fighting zone. Likewise, many of the places are conflict areas, which has made it difficult to carry out maintenance or new road construction. Security concerns have hindered progress in parts of the electorate and is not negligence or lack of development effort.

These realities must be acknowledged and also taken into consideration before posting about Developments in Tari-Pori District. A leader like yourself must report or post a balanced view and put into perspective when posting about development in Tari Pori electorate.

Under the leadership of the local MP, Prime Minister James Marape, Tari-Pori District has experienced tangible changes. Although they are more challenges remaining, as in any developing District, it is unfair to dismiss the progress that has been made.

Unfortunately, many Papua New Guineans tend to believe everything they see on social media without verifying facts. Just because Hon. James Marape is the Prime Minister, he has become a frequent target of online criticism. However, a single video highlighting a small, undeveloped track does not provide a fair assessment of the overall progress in the district.

As leaders we must always acknowledge both the achievements and the areas that still need improvement. Constructive criticism based on facts, rather than selective social media narratives, will help drive meaningful progress for the people of Tari-Pori and also give some relevance to your leadership too social media writers(name with-held)."