forum

The forum will also give an opportunity to residents to air their concerns and frustrations.

 At today’s forum, Governor Wenge told those gathered that a budget of K609 million has been approved for the province by the Finance Minister.

This is K35 million less than what was passed by Tutumang on Thursday, February 9^th.

He also said that K30 million has been spent on tertiary students’ fees through the Gerson-Solulu Scholarship.

RNZ reports following last week's Forum leaders summit in Pohnpei, regional civil society groups have voiced disappointment at what they see as a lack of any outcome or substance on the issue of West Papua.

Papua had been one of the big regional issues identified by the Forum secretary-general Dame Meg Taylor as being on the leaders' agenda, ahead of the summit.

However in the end, leaders merely concluded that the issue of alleged human rights violations in West Papua should remain on their agenda.

The sector has the potential to improve food security, nutrition and income earning opportunities; create employment; reduce poverty; and enhance socio-economic development.

It is the sector that needs to be targeted with sound policies and strategies and adequate support to improve livelihoods and foster rural development.

Improved access and better linkages between Research-Extension-Farmer through information remains a priority.