Nadzab town in pipeline

PRELIMINARY steps to set up a township at Nadzab Airport are already being taken by the Morobe administration, provincial administrator Kemasang Tomala said yesterday.
He told a press conference yesterday at the Huon Gulf district headquarters in Lae that land was being acquired from the landowners of Wampar.
He told Wampar villagers in the presence of provincial programme adviser for lands Jonah Juvi, Huon administrator Tony Ase, provincial lands administration officer Yana Yansom, Wampar council manager Wesley Komboni and kiap Cliff Wembivong that the moves being taken by the provincial administration were strategic.
He said the administration and the provincial government were keeping mum about the developments.
Tomala made the statement when paying out K330,000 to Wampar landowners for the acquisition and land lease.
Nadzab Airport, about 45km out of Lae, already has a police station.
About a kilometre away is the Wampar district headquarters, which has a health centre that is regarded as one of the best in any district in the province and used by neighbouring Markhams and Bulolos and Nawaebs as well as highway travellers.
The owner of the 400 hectares of land, Eliakim Elom was paid a quarter of the cost price of K400,000 yesterday.
Tomala told landowners of Nadzab, Frank Abel and Geyam Warrago, the airport would be lengthened by a further 600m.
He said the 551 hectares of Durung farm, on the Markham River side of the airport, was being bought and leased to the Niugini Tablebirds.
He said the provincial administration had entered into an agreement with the chicken producer to buy the customary land to save the company from hassles with landowners.