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By GABRIEL FITO
East Sepik deputy provincial administrator Otto Ganai has met with
landowners of Yangoru station yesterday to discuss the possibility of
identifying a new dump site.
Mr Ganai’s meeting with the landowners was of very significant
importance as he was working around the clock to restore normal
government services back to the people of Yangoru after all services
were shut down last week by the Health Department due to the unhygienic
state of the dump site.
Following instruction from the Health Department, all lower grades in
two primary schools, their teachers, police, health workers and other
public servants who use the “colonial bucket latrines” were sent home
with instructions to return when the situation was rectified.
Mr Ganai, who is also the acting district administrator for the Kaunaki
(Yangoru-Saussia) district, said the decision was made following an
investigation by health inspectors which revealed that the sanitation
dump located at the back of the district treasury had overflowed into a
nearby river system, causing grave concern to those who used the river
for cooking, washing and drinking.
Mr Ganai said only a few public servants who live in high cost houses
were ordered to stay on while the bulk of them were sent home.
The rural hospital has also been closed with advice to only attend to
emergency cases and make referrals to the Wewak General Hospital for
admission and treatment.
Police have also scaled down their operation leaving only the station
commander and his sectional heads to look after police work.
However, provincial police commander Chief Supt Leo Kabilo said despite
the problem, police will continue to carry out their normal duties with
the support of reservists and auxiliary members and warned opportunists
not to take advantage of the situation.
Attempts by The National to find out the outcome of the meeting between
Mr Ganai, his district administration and landowners in Yangoru
yesterday were unsuccessful due to communication problems.
 
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