Oro

Juffa made the call after an individual by the name of Kila Sibolo held meetings and misled many people especially ward councilors and community leaders.

Sibolo alleged to call meetings in regards to a grant of K500,000 for the Kokoda station redevelopment.

However, Juffa clarified that the K500,000 is a grant for the provincial government to use as part of its Kokoda development initiative to rebuild Kokoda.

Juffa said Sibolo has lied to many of the people of Kokoda to claim that the grant was for landowner projects.

Popondetta General Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr Gunzee Gawin told Loop PNG today that the bodies were taken to their villages on Wednesday and laid to rest today.

He said the remaining 10 victims from the 16 were still at the hospital but in a stable condition.

Dr Gawin said two were discharged this morning and eight remain at the hospital.

The accident involved a PMV truck and an oil palm fruit truck belonging to the Higaturu Oil Palm Ltd.

The 13 victims died instantly at the accident site.

Reports reaching Loop PNG from a reliable source say that the casualty toll has been put at 20 with 13 confirmed dead while seven are in Intensive Care Unit at the Popondetta General Hospital.

According to Ramsay Afo in Popondetta, the PMV was travelling from Kokoda to Popondetta and the oil palm fruit truck travelling towards Kokoda at a high speed.

Afo, who was at the Popondetta General Hospital, told Loop PNG that the casualties might increase.

The fruit truck belongs to the Higaturu Oil Palms.

The machines and funding were given by Oro Governor Gary Juffa on Thursday during the school’s graduation.

In a partnership arrangement, the OPG shall pay a fee per month to the school for the school to help maintain the town fields and ovals and with town cleaning in the township of Popondetta.

OPG also promised that when the Business Arm of Oro was finally operational it would be partnering with the school to help build Oro Province.

This was the message delivered by Governor Gary Juffa today at the Popondetta Skills Training Centre (PSTI) graduation.

More than 222 students graduated and was witnessed by parents, friends, observers, and invited guests.

“Refrain from poisoning your body and mind and refrain from the consumption of substances which deteriorate and attack your health.

“Rather, exercise your body and mind regularly consume traditional wholesome organic garden food and rest well.”

Juffa said sugar was just as bad if not more dangerous then tobacco and cigarette and harms and kills more Papua New Guineans then tobacco and alcohol combined.

He added that the national health cost and toll on the human resources of the nation was significant and could not be ignored.

Juffa said Mexico had imposed such a tax and was now reaping dual benefits of an improving overall national health for its people and increased revenues.

Properties destroyed include the burning down of houses, roadblocks and stoning of vehicles owned by the Sime Darby Oilpalm Company.

Juffa has asked for calm and has advised the community to work with leaders and Police to hand over the suspect immediately.

Juffa told Loop PNG that it is rumoured the suspect who is known has been responsible for 10 murders and has never been caught.

It is also alleged that he had been released early this year when he had been charged by a policeman who had been bribed.

This happened after the contractor, PDC met with Governor Garry Juffa to resolve issues surrounding the concerns about quality and scope of work.

Juffa in a statement said the company has willingly insisted to ensure that all requirements are met and that they will certainly take on board the concerns of the Provincial Government to ensure a quality project is delivered.

“It has been resolved also that the Works Building Inspector shall lead the inspection team periodically and continue to monitor progress and report accordingly.”

A frustrated Governor Gary Juffa stated that the continued effort to address corruption in Oro has uncovered what appears to be a syndicate of individuals including administration, treasury and bank staff collaborating with criminals and other private citizens to defraud the province and the people of their funds and is revealing interesting names.