Development in Pomio encouraging

ROAD connectivity still remains a big challenge to most rural areas in East New Britain.
This includes most inland communities in Pomio.
The rehabilitation of the four rural airstrips in the district by the Rural Airstrips Agency (RAA)will enhance accessibility for rural communities in the district.
This concerns the inland villages currently without road connectivity.
Communities around Bili and Gonaile airstrips in the hinterlands of West Pomio Mamusi local level government (LLG) are examples of remote communities that need this service. The RAA team should be commended for the work so far in the first phase of rehabilitation this year and the district development authority and people are looking forward to the second phase of rehabilitation that will cover about four airstrips.
Logging operators in Gonaile and Uvol in the Melkoi LLG are doing great work by using their machinery to assist with the clearance work on the runway.
The support from the provincial government and administration to counter-fund the rehabilitation programme for the district is commendable.
While approval for test flights and certification from the National Airports Corporation is pending, negotiations are being done through the Pomio MP’s office to negotiate with other third level airline operators to service the upgraded airstrips.
Melkoi LLG is being gradually connected to the district headquarter at Palmalmal in West Pomio Mamusi LLG.
Work on the Malona to Mapuna road right through to the site for the new hydro project at Toto river in the new Mamusi Yana LLG is nearing completion.

John Liskia,
Pomio Deputy CEO &
Adminstrator