If there is going to be a time when all the inland inhabitants of Central Kwara'ae on Malaita would shout their lives out loud, this could be the time. Of all the representatives they've had in parliament so far, the current one is the only one from their area. But many highlanders are thinking otherwise already. This man of ours (MP) looks like he's very idle, commented some voters.
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For those in Okwala village, that's like 3 hours of sweat trying to shoulder bags of produces to Auki that will enable struggling families buy essential goods like soap and Kerosene.
And for those with kids in high schools, the struggle weighs more. And you know, school fees these days don't mess with anyone.
People went to the polling stations in 2010 with that pain. We very much wanted someone from this area to go up there in the house (parliament), because probably he'd listen to our cries, one voter recalled his feelings during the election.
Some people have thought that choosing Hon Jackson Fiulaua was the choice in the right direction. But one year on, people are already questioning his capabilities. "He promised so much during his campaigns but we're yet to see anything from him," complained some of his supporters.
A local villager who spoke to Lifhaus under anonymity said that Fiulaua might be having a lot of difficulties conversing his way around the issue." With due respect to our dear MP, I think he got a little bit of problem technically because these things need writing and I think he has a bit of problem with that."
While the weather is roughening on the other side of the camp, some are still standing their ground for Hon Fiulaua. "Things do take time to be processed and I believe that Fiulaua has a heart to deliver on his promise," commented one strong Fiulaua supporter.
If there is any sign so far of the road up to Okwala, it would just be the fallen trees cleared by the villagers to mark where the bulldozer will dig-a job done under directives from Hon. Fiulaua.
The last clearing was done around September last year.
What seemed to have descended upon the locals in the area now is a wish. Jack Sale, a local who stays way inland beyond Okwala in a tiny village called Busone can only hope that his struggles will one day be enlightened with access to road.
Mr. Sale's typical day to the town of Auki, starts around 3 am when he would get up to walk the mountainous tracks down to Busurata to catch a truck to Auki. With a 20 KG bag of taro on his shoulders, he has one goal in mind-to sell his taros and get the money to find the basic needs for his young family. When he finally finishes with his business in Auki, the time would almost be 3 O'clock. With the 1 hour plus ride up to Busurata, he would get off at the head road after 4 pm. And it is from there that the head ache starts to pour in.
"For how long should this struggle continue? The lack of road has really affected our communities. More and more people are migrating to urban areas unskilled trying to look for jobs. Old people can handle this, but life, to me, has changed so much that young people will find it really hard to cope with it. Today's living is no longer comparable to the one lived by our parents. The changes have affected everyone so much so that access to road will make life easier for young families now a days" said Sale.
"I hope this man of ours (Fiulaua) takes into consideration these struggles," continued Sale.
When Sale talks about struggles, one should believe him because Busone (his village) is another hour's walk from Okwala village.
Poor Sale's day from Auki would finish at 9 pm on a good day. But when there is so many things to carry, a Busone villager would get home by mid night.
Lifhaus heard rumours that the road will be dug this year, but while that is in the pipeline, the concern population will continue to cry their hearts out. Because now is the only time when one of their kind is in the law making house of the country.
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Comments
Our Man Fiulaua
One can only cry....for that particular MP, I wish he can stand his promise; the first year isn't productive in anyway expect for close cronies...he has alot of that who are very close and some who are conmen, and with the previous campaign an expensive exercise. One wonders why there is nothing on the ground...payem baek kaoni..lol??
We'll see if there will be anything for the bush villagers, Im one of them.
another way of looking at
another way of looking at this is. Now he is a national leader, he has to attend to national issues. lesson for politicians: promise on policy issues no bag rice, outboard motor and road. make promises like when i am elected, i will ensure that the government implements a policy on 10km maintenance per constituency per year or maintain free education, increase scholarship for all. kind 1 promise per constituency na gavman garem staka promise tomas hem no save waka na. ating hem safe dat way too. but ya sometimes conman and kaon save kilim man too ba.