Island regions prepare for 40th anniversary celebrations

  Today is the second day of September and 14 days away from this year’s Independence Day anniversary celebrations. 

Papua New Guinea will be celebrating its 40 years of independence. 

While we have heard the announcement of a K25 million to be spent on this year’s celebrations, we are yet to hear when the funding will be distributed to provinces.  

The effect of the El Nino is also being felt in provinces throughout the New Guinea Islands region. We are encouraged by the move at the national level to have all provincial disaster centres assess and report on the damage and impact El Nino is having on the local population. 

Water systems have dried up or are drying and many food gardens are not yielding expected harvests. 

Continuous awareness and community visits must begin for people living along the new East-West New Britain Transnational Highway. Police and government authorities need all help on these visits to properly educate the populace on the kind of impacts such a major development would bring. The highway has not been officially opened but looking around Kokopo, East New Britain over the last few days, one cannot miss the sight of West New Britain 4-Wheel-Drive vehicles proudly flying their provincial flags. Police have already expressed concern on the safety of using the highway when construction is still continuing.

East New Britain

A classic example of excellent policing with the use of technology, social networking and community support happened last week. A Grade 9 female student was forced into a PMV along the Tokua Airport route and taken to a secluded spot by an unknown male.  

The intention was obvious. A fellow passenger and witness to the incident, who is also a member of a local Community Watch group, quickly posted the event on a social network normally accessed by all its members. 

One of its members and a group administrator is provincial police commander Supt Anthony Wagambie Jnr. Members of the community along the Tokua Airport stretch  reacted and quickly apprehended the man. 

While still on their way to Kokopo, Wagambie instructed police officers at the station to watch out for the pair, do a quick interview and have police squads dispatched to the scene. The suspect was taken in by police, arrested and charged. A this happened within a short period of time.

Hats off to everyone involved.

The visit by Transparency International PNG officers to East New Britain last week should not be the last. At the land rights awareness forums hosted by the Sinivit, Kombiu, Inland Baining and Bitapaka local level governments, attendees called for more such visits. 

Land is a contentious issue right now throughout East New Britain and people want to know more. Official request letters were being worked on to invite TI PNG and other such groups to return and carry out more awareness, especially on land laws and policies. 

While on land rights awareness and forums, the Department of Lands and Physical Planning should seriously consider doing the same. 

The regional lands office is located in Kokopo so if another happens, consideration extended to other Island provinces. 

It is official. Wilson Matava is the East New Britain acting provincial administrator. 

The Gazelle district is already feeling the dry spell.

 The district administration and all five LLGs have inspected wards, schools and health facilities. Now is the week to reach out and fill up all empty containers and tanks. 

Wells and natural river systems have been identified in parts of Vunapalading No3, Inland Baining LLG. Elsewhere will be the same. This is the way to go instead of short-term measures.

NEW IRELAND

The Climate Change Centre for Wildlife Conservation in Kavieng has opened its doors for school excursions. The centre opened its doors in April for students to read, borrow books and conduct researches on environment and conservation topics. The centre is opened to all ages and student groups. School programmesare being developed by the centre for group visits and excursions. Mineral Resources Lihir (MRL) Capital has opened its tertiary education cadetship scheme, targeting only Lihirians.

 Successful applicants will have all their fees paid to pursue undergraduate and post-graduate studies in PNG, Australia and New Zealand next year. 

BOUGAINVILLE

The Meekamui faction in Panguna has agreed to participate in the Bougainville Peace Process in preparation for a referendum to sustain peace and development from 2020 and beyond. Leaders last Thursday agreed to partner with the Autonomous Bougainville Government in the execution and implementation of all decisions through a Joint Steering Committee.

• Islands Beat is an editorial initiative aimed at encouraging debate and discussions on issues stretching from politics to religion and business development from throughout the New Guinea Islands region. We encourage contributions and feedback from the public, and email <[email protected]>.  No telephone calls will be accepted for remarks in this column by the public.