Central Province

Economic independence for Central Province

Speaking following the swearing in of himself and four other MPs into the Central Provincial Assembly, Agarobe said he wants to ensure that the province is financially independent.

The Open members include Abau MP Sir Puka Temu, Kairuku-Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo, Goilala MP William Samb and Rigo MP Lekwa Gure.

Agarobe highlighted three major reforms that he envisions will transform the province in a major way.

The ongoing struggle

Essentials such as clean water supply, electricity and sanitation is a privilege that villagers in many parts of Papua New Guinea are yet to experience.

This is a sad reality in Imaugoro village, Central Province, as villagers struggle each day to walk miles to fetch clean water for drinking and cooking.

During the launching of the sustainable development program under climate change and EU-GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), local women dramatised their struggles.

Health challenges for over 5,000 villagers

The clinic has been inactive since the month of June last year (2016).

In a recent visit to the village, the building, supposedly once housing medical supplies for the people of the Gabadi area villages, was seen to be mostly deserted.

Ward councillor Ambo Ao said both the clinic and the medical residential house were said to have gone under maintenance but work stopped due to lack of funding.

Since then, the building has been standing idle with no available service to the people in the Gabadi villages.

Don't judge me too early: Agarobe

Agarobe said this during his official declaration as the Governor-elect.

He was declared by Central Province Returning Officer, Kila Egaba, at 3:05pm today.

After signing the writ, Agarobe said he will not let the people of Central down and every decision he makes will be in the best interest of the people.

Agarobe ousted former governor Kila Haoda after receiving 47,383 votes to Haoda’s 36,907.

The absolute majority was 42,146.

​COUNTING: Goilala’s progressive results – after count 9

It commenced after counting was suspended on Thursday night at count 5.

When Loop PNG visited the counting venue this afternoon, count 10 was underway.

Following are the progressive results after count 9 as of 6pm today.

COUNTING: Central Provincial’s progressive results - after Count 12

Local farm to begin producing dairy products

Ilimo Farm is run by agricultural developer Innovative Agro Industries (IAI) and will be launching a new line of dairy products.

IAI Chairman Ilan Weiss said people mainly have access to processed milk due to the high cost of imported fresh milk as very few retail outlets stock fresh milk in the capital.

Weiss said they aim to put a litre of healthy fresh milk on the shelves for consumers at a cost of between K6 and K7.

​No set venue for Central counting: Candidates

At the moment, there is no set venue.

Apparently, the proposition by the Central Province Election Manager is for the first preference counting for CP regional seat be done at respective district counting venues. After that, the boxes will be moved to a central location for elimination process.

This means the preferential counting will be done in four different locations – Abau District at Kupiano station, Rigo at Kwikila, Goilala at the Gordon Police Barracks and Kairuku-Hiri at CIS Bomana.

Abau in Central Province completes polling

Aroma Coast and Cloudy Bay LLGs completed polling on the weekend while one polling team for Amazon Bay LLG finished off today to complete polling for Abau.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato says that for Rigo Open, Rigo coast and central have completed polling while Rigo inland will be done by Wednesday, July 5.

All three LLGs in the Goilala electorate, Guari, Woitape and Tapini are expected to complete polling on July 6th.

For Kairuku-Hiri Open, Hiri and Mekeo LLGs polling ends today.

Women dying due to lack of education: Local

Gou Ovia, organiser of the Pink Hahine appeal, which is a charity fundraiser, is helping raise funds for her aunt, 43-year-old mother of three, Henoa Kellei, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Pink Hahine cocktail fundraiser was held at the Helifix Hanger at Seven-Mile in Port Moresby last Friday night.

“The reason why women are dying is because they don’t have enough education about this subject, so hopefully if we raise over our targeted amount for our aunty, we can bring some awareness to our local villagers at Gabagaba,” Ovia said.