Pomio District Development Authority (DDA)

Kaupun outlined that there is a National Youth Development Policy but nothing for the province as it is still in its draft form, as per advice from the provincial division of community development.

While the province is still to finalise the youth policy, which Kaupun said will guide any development plans for their youth population, they are rolling out a survey to find out the needs for youths in the district.

The youth-needs survey profile is being piloted in his home LLG of East Pomio LLG, where it has received positive feedback.

This follows a decision by the Pomio DDA Board to engage a law firm to take the matter to court as correspondence between the DDA chairman and the management of JJ shipping has hit a brick wall.

Pomio DDA Board Chairman and Pomio MP, Elias Kapavore, made known the district’s intention after JJ Ship Equip Agencies, through its lawyer, B.S Lai Lawyers, refused to accept the DDA Board’s decision to terminate its contract this year and advised of taking legal action against that decision.

Member for Pomio, Elias Kapavore, confirmed that the seven-man team from RAA is already at Palmalmal and will initially attend to the Jacquinot Bay airstrip in the West Pomio-Mamusi LLG.

Jacquinot Bay airstrip is the only one in operation out of a total of seven airstrips in the district. Four of the airstrips will also be rejuvenated under this RAA-ENB provincial government program.