Relief supplies delivery delayed

 The delivery of drought relief food supplies in the North Fly district, Western, is delayed because of the high cost of logistics given the area’s geographical features.

North Fly rural LLG president James Donald revealed that food purchased with the K2 million allocated by the district development authority for disaster relief could not be transported to most of the affected rural communities.

Donald, a DDA board member, said they lacked funds for transporting the supplies to the communities because fuel for river vessels and airline charters were very expensive. “From the K2 million allocated last year, K1.5m was spent to purchase food containers of which are still in Kiunga,” he said.

“K500,000 was budgeted for administration and logistics. We have gone out of budget for logistics. 

“The delivery of the supplies is at a slow phase. Geographically, it is very hard to deliver them to the remote populace of the district. 

“The disaster team has managed to deliver within their means to close-by villages along the Fly and Kiunga –Tabubil Highway. 

“For other remote locations, the team is struggling to source support to deliver supplies to them.

“We are yet to deliver to the remote Olsobip LLG, Nomad LLG, border villages in the Ningerum LLG and up to Wai and Meri villages.”

Donald said he appreciated the support provided by developers in the district like Horizon Oil (PNG) Limited. 

He said the company had provided fuel for transporting the supplies to their project-impacted communities of Gasuke, Diabi, Kwomhenai and Kana villages.