For over 20 years the Kikori district had been neglected, resulting in the closure of the Kikori, Baimuru and Ihu airstrips, and the closure of government wharves, jetties, hospitals, health centres and schools.
However, this will soon be a thing of the past.
The Kikori District Development Authority, through the leadership of the Member for Kikori Open, Soroi Eoe (as chairman), have worked tirelessly to put together plans and passed board resolutions to bring back much-needed development services to the district.
The Kikori District Development Authority passed resolutions for the following:
- Three communications towers to be located at: Kikori Government Station, Kapuna Hospital and Ihu Government Station
- Team to carryout scoping work for upgrade and development of airstrip, jetties and wharves and bridges. This scoping work is currently in progress with engineers looking at the above as well as electricity for the government stations.
- Urgent work is being carried out to rehabilitate the Ihu and Baimuru airstrips as well as general vegetation cleaning of the two government stations. K220,000 had been allocated for this which will involve community groups in the area.
- 3 power generators valued at a total of K220,000 purchased from Hastings Deering. This is to provide electricity for Kikori, Baimuru and Ihu.
- K42,000 for pastoral training at Metago Bible College and David Kini through the State-Church Partnership Program where student pastors from the Kikori district attended.
- Also more than K40,000 was given to Kapuna School of Nursing. It had been reported that many students faced challenges in paying school fees and were sent home. Thus, the DDA gave assistance to Kapuna Nursing School. The Kapuna hospital and The School of Nursing had been established in the fifties and had been servicing the district with limited funding. The funds given by the KDDA were timely to ensure continuity and consistency in service delivery.
- K234,000 funding was given to Ela Motors for the purchase of nine dinghies and outboard motors which were then presented to Kikori District LLG leaders. Besides the funding through the Kikori District Development Authority, approximately K1m from the Papua New Guinea government was given to the Kikori District through the Office of Rural Development for the purchase of the earthquake disaster relief supplies which were delivered to Kikori for communities affected. Additional funds have been requested to rehabilitate villages affected by the disaster.
Plans going forward
Implementing the Kikori District Development Authority resolution on the following:
- Opening up airstrips for Baimuru and Ihu
- Erecting communication towers for Kikori, Baimuru (Kapuna) and Ihu. Ihu and Kikori towers will be on state land.
- Jetties and wharves – Improving and possibly building new wharves and jetties for Kikori, Baimuru and Ihu
- Sourcing suitable technical manpower for district development
- K2,000,000 to be given to Kikori District Hospital through Gulf Christian Services for upgrades. This includes Kapuna Hospital. The funds will be coming through the Department of Health.
- Mareke Hospital in the Ihu sub-district is in dire need of assistance as it is about to collapse. This hospital services a large population along the Orokolo Bay and inland as well.
Long term
There are plans in place for an economic free-trade zone in the Ihu sub-district. This will enable economic activities and provide employment, education and basic services in the long run.
More on this will be announced in the coming weeks.
(Dinghies and outboard motors being presented to Kikori district LLG leaders)
