East New Britain Province

Rice farming gains traction in ENB

The provincial food crops program officer with the Division of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), Shilla Sato said Kokopo is leading in production with 25 hectares of rice farms within the rural wards of Marambu and Ganai and other neighbouring wards of Bitapaka LLG.

Melkoi LLG in Pomio is the second largest producer together with Sinivit LLG, also in the Pomio District.

ENB districts to benefit from German project

The project is funded by the German international aid agency known as GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit/German Corporation for International Cooperation), and a team, including partners like the South Pacific Community.

‘MV Pomio 2’ arrives

Upon receiving the vessel on Wednesday, Regional MP, Michael Marum, and Pomio Open MP, Elias Kapavore, acknowledged the Filipino crew that brought the ship to PNG from South Korea.

“This is the same captain and a crew that brought the first ship, ‘MV Pomio 1’, to PNG in 2019. It needs commitment from the heart to sacrifice their time away from their families to bring the vessel over to PNG. So, thank you very much,” Kapavore said.

ENB law and order prioritised

This funding aid is in response to the escalating law and order problems faced in the four districts of the province over recent years.

Governor and Chairman of Finance, Michael Marum, announced this during his budget speech, saying the funding will target two key areas of special security operations and community policing.

The law and order sector gets the second largest allocation of K12 million from this year’s budget of K519,816,218.

ENB civil servants urged to commit

He said the implementation of services rests entirely on the level of work that public servants do every day.

Mano told more than 500 public servants gathered at the dedication service to be better servants to the ordinary people of East New Britain Province and the country.

“We stand here today to offer ourselves as public servants to improve service delivery to the 400,000 population in the province and the entire population of Papua New Guinea,” he stated.

Rabaul wards conduct financial literacy training

The training kicked off for wards 8 and 9 totaling 69 participants, and was officially opened by acting Deputy District Administrator for Operations, Petrus Maninga on Wednesday 31st January, 2024 in Rabaul town.

Mr Maninga emphasized the importance of financial literacy in building a more economically resilient community. He highlighted the significant impact that improved financial skills can have on individuals, families, and the community as a whole.

ENB trials mini-rugby league

NRL PNG led by National Program Coordinator Martin Ingirin Jnr launched the mini mod program at the Gelegele Resettlement Sports Oval in the Rabaul district recently.

The mini mod concept uses modified rugby league rules and targets kids in the ages of 7 to 12 years old. 120 kids in the age categories of 10, 8 and 6 year olds were present to trial out the program.

The NRL PNG led by National Program Coordinator Martin Ingirin Jnr said the mini mod encourages primary and elementary school kids to develop better conducts while using rugby league as the main drive.

Work on South coast missing link launched

When government services such as airstrips deteriorated over the years until they became non-existent, people have been taking a risky a 10-hour boat ride into the provincial capital of Kokopo city.

The introduction of MV Pomio vessel in 2021 had assisted locals in easing their travel, however the opening of the missing link is expected reduce travel time to just around four hours.

Students lead beach clean-up

Provincial Climate Change Program Officer Maryanne Wariga said on Wednesday 16th August 2023 a clean-up program was underway in Ialakua ward, Raluana LLG in Kokopo. Malia Foundation led the program.

Wariga said under the Natural Resource Management and Development (NRDM) unit they have two programs; Climate Change and Environment management, and Conservation.

“Such initiatives are good and Malia Foundation has set an example for all coastal villagers to take part also,” she said.

Kokopo organisers commended

The annual program was observed in Kokopo City on Friday, August 11th, where hundreds of residents gathered to commemorate it.

“From day one, we at the provincial level began this program and have delegated to the districts and LLGs, and I must commend Norman Samson and your team in the Kokopo Vunamami Urban LLG (KVULLG) for embracing and sustaining this program every year,” Ainui stated.