Papa Martin loving life in Aitape

By Alice Osii
MARTIN Komang is known to many in Aitape as Happy Papa Martin because he is always smiling.
His work colleagues call him Dokta for some reason. He is the Fisheries programme manager in Aitape, West Sepik.
Papa Martin was born on May 4, 1960 to Anthon Komang and Hildagad Kenai in Kep, Turubu, East Sepik. Born and raised by the coast, he loves the sea and always dreamt of becoming a ship captain one day so that he could travel the world.
“I never thought of becoming a fisheries officer. I wanted to be a ship captain. I still dream of being in charge of an ocean liner or a ship so I could travel around the world.”
He is the third eldest in a family of six. He and brother Robin have four sisters: Francesca, Emma, Scholar and Carol.
He started in Grade One at the Balik Community School in Kep in 1967. After completing Grade Six, he was selected to do Grade Seven at the Brandi High School in 1973.
“My dad, a subsistent farmer, sold his cow to pay for my school fees.”
He completed Grade 10 in 1974 and was selected to attend the National Fisheries College in Kavieng in 1975. In 1976, he graduated with a Certificate in Tropical Fisheries.
His school mate Robert Possani from Aitape used to invite him to his village.
“He would tell me stories and showed me pictures of his village and invited me to work there.”
When a vacancy came for fisheries officers in West Sepik, Martin applied.
In April 1980, his boss gave him his ticket to travel to Vanimo. He got a job in the fisheries department there in April 1980.
In 1984, he went to Japan to study outboard motor and small engine maintenance for small fishing boats.
He got married in 1986 to Gertrude Labau Komang. She passed away in 2014. They had five children: Philip, Philemon, Mildred, Gabriella and Gregory.
“All of my children are now married and have gone to stay with their own family.”
He helped a colleague from Scotland Peter Newsinger build a cooler room.
He remembers the day he almost lost his life while travelling at sea with best friend Peter Sirias and some volunteers in the early 90s.

“ I love my job and my family and I am always happy.”

“On our way to Vanimo, we had engine failure near Narimo Island in Vanimo. The sea was rough and we started drifting at sea. Peter and I decided to swim to the shore to seek assistance. We struggled to reach Narimo Island, just outside Vanimo. From there we swam across to go to the mainland. One of our friend picked us up and brought us to Vanimo town where we got fuel and a dinghy and went back to rescue the others.”
Papa Martin was acting fisheries director in Sandaun for one year before his current position.
“I love my job and my family and I am always happy.”