Alotau

This newly opened bridge serves as a vital connection, bridging the gap between Alotau town, Gurney Airport, and the Gaidasu Village.

The completion of this infrastructure project has far-reaching implications for the region, enhancing connectivity and facilitating the smooth flow of goods and services.

The Dewala Bridge upgrade is a partnership project between Australia and Papua New Guinea, focusing on enhancing PNG's road infrastructure.

However, the promotion will be highlighted prominently in the Daga Nu Coffee Cultural Show at Gwiroro, Daga Local Level Government, Rabaraba District this August.

Samples of Daga Coffee were exhibited to the Milne Bay tourism industry stakeholders, Milne Bay Provincial Administration and during the launch of the 2022 Milne Bay Tourism Calendar.

The 100g, 250g, 500g, and 1 kilogram bags are displayed on promotion at Daisy's Cake Studio while some shops, hotels and guesthouses in Alotau are helping to promote the product as well.

BSP CEO, Robin Fleming said no staff were seriously injured despite being assaulted during the course of the incident that occurred around lunchtime. 

“This is the second such attack on BSP at Padipadi with the previous robbery in 2016, then in May of 2018 where an ATM was stolen at Hagita Estate and never recovered. The criminals also ransacked a BSP ATM at the Alotau International Hotel in 2019.

Elias Kapavore, Member for Pomio and Deputy Chairman for the SPCARV, called for a collective effort in quelling issues surrounding alcohol-related violence.

The sub-committee led by the Deputy Chairman initiated consultations with the Milne Bay Provincial Government and the Provincial Liquor Licensing Unit, the police, Correctional Services, Provincial Health Authority, schools, community leaders and church representatives.

BSP Alotau Branch has supported the school with a new multi-sport court, sporting equipment, 46 new double-seater desks and renovated its double classroom that houses two grade six (6) classes. The assistance is part of its 2021 Community Project initiative.

School Headmaster Eugene Awilo in expressing his gratitude towards BSP Alotau Branch said, “Goilanai Primary School is the only level seven (7) primary school in Milne Bay which is being prepared to be converted to a junior high school to cater for the 1-6-6 education structure.”

Since 2019, the biannual WCD has only been celebrated in Alotau. This year's WCD theme was ‘Invest in Coconut to Save the World.’

The WCD celebrations attracted coconut growers from the four provincial districts like Alotau, Samarai Murua, Esa'ala and Kiriwina Good Enough.

According to one organizer, Milne Bay Division of Agriculture Livestock, Principal Advisor, Jonathan Kapoila, since the inaugural event, WCD celebrations in 2019 at Bubuletta, the coconut growers had improved their range of coconut products.

He said the closure of major projects in the country is affecting the country’s economy.  

“We had a lot of these projects that were ready to go but it’s been two years now and a lot of money could have helped the economy if Porgera didn’t shut down.

“Porgera could have been renegotiated easily. They offered us 60 per cent of the take and an additional 15 per cent equity and they also offered us additional royalty.

Alotau MP, Charles Abel said the district is in of more police presence.

“Twenty-five new recruits were to be posted to Alotau, but were sent elsewhere at the last minute. That continues to leave us undermanned. The PPC is doing his best under difficult circumstances and it is a huge maritime province and the police are trying to guard the waterway and highways and this holds up other issues that go on and also protect the town,” Mr Abel said.

The facility falls under the Redevelopment of Town Markets Projects funded by the Governments of PNG and Japan.

Recently a joint team comprising of National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Milne Bay Provincial Management Team, and Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) recently visited Alotau to assess the full construction of the Facility.

The Project began in 2017 with Japan Government allocated K33 Million.

The Japan Government component has been completed while the PNG Government component will continue to next year, and anticipated to be completed in May 2020.

The other five suspects will be charged with one count of accessory after the fact for each of the 22 charges and one count of harbouring, for a total of 23 charges each.

The 11 suspects were transferred to Port Moresby from Alotau on Wednesday, February 20^th, and are now in police custody. The youngest among the group is 19 years old while the oldest is a 48-year-old man.