Morobe, Madang launch inter-border development plan

THE Morobe and Madang governments launched the concept of inter-border development programme at Teptep Station on Sunday to promote language, culture and sports as the means to drive socio-economic activities.
Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu and Madang deputy administrator Marcus Kachau, on behalf of Governor Peter Yama, launched the programme.
Saonu initiated the idea and presented it during the Mamose governors’ conference in Madang recently which the four governors agreed to pursue.
Saonu said the aim was to mobilise communities sharing common provincial borders who had been neglected by provincial governments and district administrations in terms of services.
Saonu, last year, involved the PNG Sports Foundation to conduct coaching and referring clinics, a tournament was held in January at Teptep.
The Nayudos FC which aspires to participate in National Soccer League next year, is sponsored by the West Taraka-based Zilu Scientific in Lae.
Similarly, Lae Tourism Bureau coordinator Maine Winnie is to mobilise, promote, document, package and market Nayudos cultural identity for tourism purposes in line with the Morobe government tourism plan.
“Though these border people were being marginalised, endured pains and struggles, they have lived by faith in God through the tireless efforts committed by pastors through evangelism work,” Saonu said.
The Nayudos (Nankina, Nambis, Yupna, Domu, Oruwa, and Som) communities in Madang and Morobe revived their cultural and sports festival initiated in 1978.
Saonu also engaged the PNGSF to conduct similar soccer clinics in Tewae-Siassi and Gloucester-Kandrian last year.
“The next border people are Morobe post -Northern, Garaina-Central, Menyamya-Gulf and Markham-Eastern Highlands and I appeal to respective MPs for support” Saonu said.
Tewae-Siassi MP Kobby Bomario and Raicoast MP Peter Sapia vowed their undivided support.
Saonu committed K100,000 for people to use local labour to build the road from Teptep to Saidor coastline and K50,000 to revive the Nayudos LLG administration.
Sapia allocated K250,000 to revamp all Raicoast airstrips, subsidise coffee and medivac airfreight, K20,000 for the festival and K5000 for the organising committee.