Gulf Province

New Generators for Kerema and Maprik

Being the provincial capital,  Kerema has suffered from prolonged outages due to its power station breaking down.

PNG Power recognized the need for reliable power supply for local businesses, schools, hospitals, and residents, especially with the pending development of the Papua LNG Project.

The generator has already been installed in Kerema and the PNG Power technical team will commission it in December. This generator will provide power until the start of the construction of a DFAT-supported solar project in 2024.

Futures at risk

Fortunately, for Aumu village they have one teacher who teaches elementary through to grade 2. They also have a volunteer phonics teacher who gives up her personal time to ensure children of the village learn to read and write at a basic level.

The same cannot be said for Aivai’i and Kae-Varia. The village children are said to make long-distance trips by river, to and fro, to the nearest schools in other villages such as Evara.

Many choose to forgo the commute and remain at home, in the village.

Volunteer Phina, teaches phonics

Phina says she holds classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Explaining that on Wednesdays, she attends fellowship with the other women of the village where she is the group’s secretary.

A mother of seven children herself, Phina says she knows the importance of education, and the need for children to learn the basics such as reading and writing.

Aivai'i village thankful for relief assistance

The communities when receiving these very necessary relief supplies have expressed their gratitude, thanking the project and those at the heart of this mission.

Richard Steven from Aivai’i village, shares that the water levels had risen after continuous rain in the Highlands region towards the end of October 2023. He says after waters rose and flooded the villages for two weeks, and what was left were gardens buried by thick layers of sediment.

Purari relief mission underway

Operator of Papua LNG, Total Energies has launched a ‘Disaster Relief Mission’ to assist villages in its area of influence with food rations and medicine.

In coordination with the Gulf Provincial Authority, the Project will also be providing relief efforts in the form of medical supplies to communities outside the area of influence.

The mission began on November 2 at Apiope village at the mouth of the Purari with Project staff distributing food rations and handing over medical supplies to a Community Health Worker based at the aid post/health centre in the village.

FODE centre for Gulf

Sir Chris made the presentation at the main FODE centre in Port Moresby yesterday.

He said that the plan to have FODE in the province is to increase literacy levels, and the overall standard of education and infrastructure. 

“I would like very much that FODE becomes an integral part of the learning curriculum in the province. However, accessibility is a challenge for many,” Sir Chris said.

FODE Principal Anthony Rayappan agreed that accessibility to education especially in the remote areas of Gulf is challenging.

Gulf launches immunization campaign

This comes at the back of a two-day refresher training of 26 healthcare workers from the 21 healthcare facilities in the province to build their capacity around the MR-bOPV Vitamin “A” SIA campaign.  

Gulf Province is the last province to launch its SIA campaign. Speaking to the healthcare workers at the launching, GPHA's acting chief executive officer, Dr. Alexander Maha acknowledged his hardworking team for ensuring the activity was finally launched and ready for implementation despite challenges. 

Fisheries a revenue stream for Gulf

He stated this when signing a Memorandum of Understanding as Minister responsible for Fisheries, with the Gulf Provincial Government on Sunday July 16th, 2023.

Minister Wong said from a Fisheries perspective, licensing must be issued to companies that show a genuine willingness to farm and process onshore.

Development for Kikori Primary schools

Managing Director, Augustine Mano, stated that a number of primary schools in the district will be given double or one story classrooms.

“We will invest about K7.8million under our 30%. In the PNGLNG we get 2% of Royalty, 2% of Equity, and 40% is given to landowners as part of their dividends but that 30% from our contribution you’re supposed to get it as Royalty and Equity.

“We will start with all the primary schools. Kaiam, Kopi, Baina, Vaira, Bamaguna, Bisi, Gore, and Omati. Seven point eight million (7.8m) will be used.

Liquor Ban in Gulf Province

He said police will be enforcing the liquor ban following a decision made during a Provincial Executive Meeting.

“Notices will be given out to the dealers. Anyone caught selling liquor after the notice will be dealt with accordingly under the liquor law.

“Please conduct business within the confines of the law. Police will be out in full force to ensure the Christmas and New Year period is celebrated peacefully and meaningfully,” he added.