Road to Manaro – election propaganda?

Dear Editor,

Citizens of Ambae will have different judgement and reaction regarding the news of the proposed road to be built to the Manaro. I hereby give mine.
I understand some (especially potential tourism investors) are excited that this is a good investment as it will enable them to bring tourists to Gelevu’s shrine. Further, others may believe the access will assist them with transportation of agricultural produce they may want to cultivate further inland.
However, I have the following view:

Roads have been built almost around the island and sections of which are hardly used because there is no regular maintenance. Most of these existing roads have high usage as they are being used primarily for movement of agricultural produce to markets as well as aiding people to access services such as airports, hospitals, schools, etc,.

The point I’m making here is, if the government is finding it already difficult to maintain existing roads to make them serviceable, what is the logic then behind building a new road to the centre of the island?
Mi biliv se ating i gat wan cost benefit analysis we MP Iauko wetem ol technical experts blo hem i bin mekem blo guaranteeim olgeta blo investem mane inland. Bambae hemi wan gud aedia blong deployem wan environment mo social impact stadi tugeta wetem wan detailed cost benefit analysis blong rod ia blo talem long yumi sapos hemi rili wan worthwhile exercise.

I will always emphasise the fact that lack of social impact analysis will continue to affect investment/policies – at times very much adversely to this nation.
A good example of which is the infamous fancy kiwi idea of a correctional facility for ‘Melanesian’ criminals - the government is now riling from its consequences.
Mi hop se rod ia hemi no wan tul blong kampein at the cost of the nation.

—Bani