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The Ngatangiia community has welcomed a plan proposed by MP Sir Terepai Maoate to ensure that village projects keep going and new initiatives can be undertaken.
With the abolishing of the Vaka Councils and assumption of functions by Internal Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister Sir Terepai Maoate says MP’s need to take the initiative and register with Internal Affairs projects/programmes that their constituents wish to see continue.
He and the Ngatangiia Committee believe the best way for these projects/programmes to continue in a sustainable way is to award either annual or one-off contracts to the private sector.
“Over the last couple of weeks my team has worked closely with the Committee identifying priority projects, costing these and preparing a work schedule for the next 12 months. While several of the projects are ongoing, a special component has been included to cover new initiatives.”
Sir Terepai says inclusion of new initiatives is now possible as the Ngatangiia village budget that was managed by the Takitumu Vaka Council no longer has to cover administration and personnel costs. “So now there is more money to pay for new Ngatangiia projects like upgrading bridges, maintenance of public areas on the foreshore, drainage clearance and tree trimming on public roads.”
A power point presentation covering all these points was made at a wider meeting of the Ngatangiia community on Monday evening for discussion and endorsement.
“I am pleased that former councillors were all satisfied with the content of the village plan and happy that ongoing projects will remain that way,” says Sir Terepai.
“We have been proactive, rather than waiting around to see what Internal Affairs will do and I urge other MP’s to do the same.”
Sir Terepai says Rarotonga MP’s are welcome to use the Ngatangiia plan as a template for drafting their own projects schedule and costs.
Those who attended the Monday evening meeting were advised that they have the opportunity to form their own companies and compete for the work that needs to be done.
DPM CEO Ratu Mato says the meeting also identified other sites needing attention, such as the former Avana packing shed and the DPM Office has been requested to negotiate a clean-up of the eyesore on behalf of the village with landowners.
Source: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
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