Mekeo

Library for Mekeo School

Thanks to the BSP Financial Group (BSP) for upgrading an old classroom and converted it into a library and donated books and shelves, including a solar-powered computer at a cost of K30,000.

BSP Boroko Branch Team was at Veifa’a Village last weekend to hand over the school’s new library to staff and students.

School Chairman Joe Mega said that the facility would enhance and contribute to the education of their children.

“We are trying to meet the required infrastructure needed and BSP has come to our aid,” said Mega.

Relief planned for flooded Central villages

Most affected are the areas from the Mekeo area of the province.

Yesterday the disaster coordinator and a representative from Red Cross did an aerial survey of the area.

They flew from the mouth of the Angabanga River upstream to Veifa’a, Ipiana, Amiata and the Central, West and East Mekeo area.

There was evidence of severe flooding which has since subsided while a few houses seen to have been flooded could be seen from the air.

Locals frustrated with buai-related clashes

This is the cry of the people from neighbouring Central villages who witnessed what they described as another unnecessary buai incident that disturbed their peace.

According to a villager from west Mekeo, a few days ago, a man from the Highlands region was allegedly killed in Kerema town, Gulf Province, whilst on a buai trade trip there.

Relatives of the man, in busloads, retaliated and attacked people along the highway to Kerema.

A man in Kerema town is reportedly nursing serious slash wounds.

Central buai sellers fight off Highlanders

On Monday a fight broke out at Agevairua between a PMV truck from Mekeo and buai buyers who tried to forcefully board the PMV and take out buai bags.

Central police commander Laimo Asi says the Highlanders wanted to force the locals to sell their buai at a discounted price rather than go to the market and sell.

However, the villagers outnumbered the sellers and fought them off.

Police was fast to respond and managed to calm the situation before things got out of hand.

Mekeo women to protest for gender equality and rights

The protest aims to enhance opportunities for gender equality and women empowerment.

The women claim that for years they have been the scapegoats of taboos and customs.

They have suffered for years from continuous alcohol and drug-related verbal and physical abuse plus sexual violence that has deprived women rights in the rural areas.

The organisers say they aim to speak out for the silent majority and break down the stigma that accompanies so many experiences of violence and abuses.