Popondetta comes alive with Christmas lights and carols

 By JASON GIMA WURI

POPONDETTA town in Northern has come alive during the weeklong festive season after Dr Doroin Park oval was lit up with Christmas trees and lightings.

Just like 5-Mile’s Jack Pidik Park in Port Moresby, Dr Doroin Park was all excitement as town residents poured in to get a glimpse of the rare lightings and to enjoy the carols by candle and entertainment led by prominent gospel artists Pr Peter Bogembo and Pr Daniel Meakoro Jr over three nights

Northern Governor Pr Suckling Tamanabae who was on hand to officially switch on the lights on Christmas Day, told the crowd that this was the first of its kind in Popondetta and maybe in the country apart from Port Moresby.  

“Just like Port Moresby I wanted to create that atmosphere to light up Dr Doroin Park so that residents, especially families with children, can come out and enjoy the celebrations in a slightly different way.

“I want to declare to the Oro people that Oro is blessed.

“I came to make an announcement that God has come to our help and that old Oro is going and we are building a new Oro,” Tamanabae said.

He said this was a day of giving gifts which was a blessing in itself.

Tamanabae also urged all educated Oro people living outside of the province to help contribute in bringing the good image of the province back instead of just sitting on the fence and complaining about their MPs and the lack of services.

“I believe we can change the face of Oro and slowly but surely we are emerging.

“You must not forget that we started after the 2007 elections with a natural disaster in cyclone Guba and it has not been easy but God has kept us and brought us thus far,” Tamanabae said      

He also announced the Oro provincial government’s K410 million grants for the five-year recovery development plan handed down by the national government.

“We instituted the Northern Province Restoration Authority after the disaster and it has been operating within the recurring budget.

“We say, enough of talking and it is now time to bring recovery,” Tamanabae added.

He said that he would kick off the New Year celebrations by presenting local level government projects, the police, hospital and health services and other stakeholders with funding to continue with their tireless work in developing the province.