Rabaul completes first phase of work to revive farm

THE first phase of the revival of the Kurakakaul Livestock, cattle ranch and abattoir in Rabaul, East New Britain, has been completed.
This was revealed by Rabaul administrator Peter Lapim.
Lapim told The National that they engaged the PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment (PNGUNRE) to do preparatory work on the farm and to renovate the abattoir.
Lapim said the renovation of the abattoir had been completed with other ground work in the farm.
He said they were waiting for the other partners to provide the environmental impact study plan as it was not only under the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) but under the Department of Commerce and Trade.
He said the renovation and other work had stopped because the first payment of the K1.5 million by the Government under the public investment programme (PIP) has been used up.
Lapim added that DAL had committed K1 million and this money would be given to the project as soon as they were formally registered.
“The plans for the project have been completed and ready for implementation but the Rabaul district administration needs more funding for this project,” Lapim said.
He said once the project was completed it would provide more than 200 jobs for nearby communities and allow chicken, pigs and cattle to be processed.
He said a joint venture called the Rabaul Butchery Ltd had already been established.