Central Province

Governor Peter says an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is currently being reviewed and updated.

“As soon as that is finalized, it will be signed between myself as Governor and the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture,” said Peter.

She adds that, “Infrastructure to develop and enhance the tourism sector will be discussed separately. For now focus will be put on the music and entertainment industry in Central Province and how it can contribute to tourism.”

During the festive season, Member Iduhu attended a community meeting at Papa village in Central’s Hiri West, to discuss water supply challenges affecting Papa, Bogi, and Metago.

Village leaders, Water PNG, LABA Holdings and representatives of the Hiri Koiari District Development Authority attended the meeting with villagers.

Landowners from 224 identified clans from Gulf and Central Province will benefit from this Business Development Grant (BDG).

Gulf Governor, Sir Chis Haiveta says, “We want that money as soon as possible. Making a commitment is OK, but making it available is another thing. I'd like it on the 1st if January (2024).”

They highlighted this during launching the Central Province festive season police operation at Kwikila station in Central Province.

He said that locals will not be allowed to drink alcohol while driving in their private vehicles or when in public transport.

“Because drinking and driving in neither the private or public vehicle is an offense,” he said.

Asi said the restrictions also apply to the locals selling beer with liquor licenses.

When commemorating the World AIDS Day on December 1^st 2023 in Kwikila, the HIV/AIDS awareness team spoke to the communities about the importance and gravity of the disease. They were urged to come forward and be tested.

District HIV/AIDS coordinator, Peter Pahu told the gathering at Kwikila that since 2016 there has been an increase in people testing positive for HIV/AIDS.

He said according to statistics in Rigo, 2016 the district recorded only eight positive cases but as the years went by numbers have increased. In 2023, there were 212 people tested positive.

Central Provincial Police Commander Acting Superintendent Laimo Asi was invited to and asked to conduct police patrols in the village and arrest offenders.

PPC Asi responded to the invite and visited the village on Monday where an open dialogue was established, allowing the villagers to voice their concerns.

Police were told that the main crime committed in this community was the vandalism of school properties in the village.

This is a time for progress for the Kuriva people when a new 42KW solar mini power grid was commissioned for the St John Bosco Kuriva Primary School and the hand-over of the ambulance to the Kuriva Health Centre.

Onboard with the partnership is TotalEnergies, USAID, St John, Ambulance, ExxonMobil, Santos Papua JV Partners, and Member for Hiri-Koiari, Keith Iduhu.

Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Timothy Masiu, unveiled the facility yesterday (30^th September 2023), marking a significant step towards bridging the digital divide in rural areas of PNG.

This inaugural project is part of the Smart Village project, a global initiative, now introduced to PNG through the government. It was made possible through the Department of Information and Communication Technology and Gabaspot, a local entrepreneur.

Over the weekend, Governor Rufina Peter visited Boteka in Ward 3 and Siraka in the Vanapa Brown Local Level Government, Hiri Koiari District. She was accompanied by LLG Council President Wayne Iorive along with councillors from the respective wards.

Boteka is located on the outskirts of Port Moresby, past the Catholic Church-owned Nazareth at the turn-off before Laloki Bridge. Established in the late 1950’s this area is home to now three hundred families who have slowly migrated out of the area due to lack of the most basic services.

The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary reported that independence police operation in Central Province ended on a high note with no major incidents.

Central Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Laimo Asi confirmed from situation reports provided to him, that all was quiet during the long weekend.

Operations started on the 14th of September, ensuring that schools and villages conducted their own independence activities without disturbance.