Nawaeb locals receive ILG certificates

By IWAKS KAWAGE
SEVEN villages in the Wain-Erap local level government in the Nawaeb district, Morobe, received Incorporated Land Group (ILG) certificates to ensure government agencies and organisations recognise them.
The villages are Medau, Sapokon, Mombang, Sadau, Mousing, Kayaitiwikang and Kwahakang, which took their initiative to register a land group under Bisit Mombang ILG.
Nawaeb MP Timothy Bonga, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge, Wain-Erap president Charlie Foikec and former Bumayong Lutheran Secondary School principal Gisuwat Mangere Siniwin witnessed the occasion at Mombang village last Friday.
Wain-Erap ward 11 councillor Popoit Loki and Mousing ILG chairman Kevin Mitimu received the certificate from Wenge and Bonga in absence of acting provincial customary lands officer Lucas John.
“Political leaders used people as stepping stones for many years, leaving behind more than 1,000 people who walk kilometres every day to get to the main road to do business,” Popoit said.
“We have coffee, vanilla, fresh fruits and vegetables and untapped mineral resources but the road is the problem.”
Popoit wanted to see the K5,000 committed by joint district planning and budget priorities committee for the Mousing ILG and K250,000 for Gain-Kasin and Kusip road made available.
The ring road from Erap junction to Boana through Gain-Kasin and Nabak is deteriorating and requires maintenance while feeder roads to Kasin, Sadau and Baindoang are yet to be linked.
Both leaders acknowledged villagers for the initiative without expecting government to help.
They said the initiative of ILG was exactly what the government required for the people to do to work in partnership in improving rural livelihood.
Bonga committed another K50,000 for the road.
Wenge said the Wain people were hard working in trying to improve themselves through self-help.\