Karawari villagers looking for investor

PEOPLE from the remote villages in Karawari area in Angoram, East Sepik province, have called on their MP Arthur Somare to help identify an investor to develop their timber resources and provide other spin-off benefits.
Karawari Landowner Company Ltd manager Lawrence Damien said that they were tired of their poverty and complained that only certain individuals seemed to be getting financial assistance.
Mr Damien said that instead of giving handouts, leaders should look at ways to provide the people with long-term benefits such as schools, health services and a police station to deter drug traffickers from the Highlands and other provinces.
Mr Damien, who studied at a university in Florida, US, said more than 51% of the trees in the area were of the Kwila species which is known for its good quality
He said that besides timber, the landowners were also looking at extending Mr Somare’s cocoa project, conserve the life of eaglewood and set up rice and cattle farming.
“All this would also help create employment for locals and increase their standard of living,” he said.