K36,000 worth of Manam food rations

THE Manam Resettlement Authority had bought K36,000 worth of food rations and had it delivered to Bosia Island, Bogia in Madang last Thursday.
Authority representative in Manam, Peter Sukua, said: “This was after the king tides, drought and heavy rain affected villagers’ food gardens on the floating rocky island community.”
The authority’s community development officer, Joseph Kintau Jnr said the authority provided the help after the Boisa Island ward councillor approached him for help under the care centres’ upkeep programme.
“Although this may not be a significantly large supply of rations, we believe this is the best we can provide to help in time of great need,”Kintau said.
“Store goods aside, we may consider other food items such as sago and garden produce.”
He said the authority had also sent a team of water supply engineers from Adra to assess the water supply situation and would provide a report and recommendations on the best approach to work on water supply for the island community.
He said this was not the first time the island was affected.
“They continue to face similar problems, but the current situation is worse,” he said.
“Last year, they were affected by the prolonged drought and this year king tides and heavy rain destroyed their water sources and food gardens that have made the situation worse, resulting in people having nothing to sustain their lives.”
Ward councillor Kimu Seila said although it was not the authority’s responsibility to help, the island was in need and no one had responded to their desperate calls so they had to reach out to the authority.