Don’t deny people at Long Island
THIS letter is for the attention of Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet.
“Last Sunday, Peter Memafu and I flew to Long Island to deliver medical supplies to Bok and Pt Kiau aid posts. You may recall at Christmas, I sent a note to you with copies to the administrator, district administrator and health adviser that Bok, Pt Kiau and Matafun had no medical supplies. It has taken three months to get aid post supplies to Bok and Pt Kiau.
At Bok, the people complained of food shortage. The same comment was made in my earlier letter but no action was taken to address this problem too.
However, we were pleased to see that the new school had two teachers from Sepik although they had to make do with bush material.
But we were disappointed to see the health centre in Matafun closed. There was neither medicine nor staff.
Again, we were told that the person in charge had travelled to Madang to pick up medical supplies just like the counterparts in Bok and Pt Kiau.
To make matters worse, they do not have a boat to travel to Saidor, meaning the people did not have health services.
And there is no school at Matafun.
The people of Long Island cannot remain cut off and deprived of basic services.
They have lost their respect for the provincial and national governments.
May I respectfully suggest that you allocate funds for a double classroom at Bok and Malala, two houses for teachers at Bok as well as a house for the CHW at Pt Kiau.
In addition, a reliable, safe boat is absolutely necessary.
For years, I have been trying to think how the people can earn some consistent income. Right now, they rely on coconuts.
I feel we should request NARI to undertake research into the type of soil and type of agriculture that could do well on Long Island. The soil is fertile, plenty of land, more than 1,000 youths are jobless, an abundance of water supply and is disease free.
Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.”

Sir Peter Barter, Madang
Letters