Dadi Toka Jnr

The Motu Koita FODE College stands as a critical pillar in providing fee-free education pathways for individuals who for various reasons had missed out on traditional high school education.

In a city like Port Moresby where unemployment looms large, initiatives like this are essential in equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to secure entry-level jobs or pursue further education.

Governor Parkop made the public announcement this week during the opening of two multiple classroom buildings at Baruni Primary School.

Governor Parkop was at Baruni Primary School to witness the opening of the two new three-in-one classrooms, which the NCDC co-funded.

Parkop assured the people of Baruni that he wants to live up to his pledge to give all the money coming from the land which the people had in the past but may have lost to the development of the city back to the Motu Koita Assembly.

He said this during the swearing in of the MKA Assembly members at Hanuabada on Friday.

The ceremony was attended by NCD Governor, Powes Parko, Moresby South MP, Minister for Lands and APEC, Justin Tkatchenko, Police Minister, Jelta Wong, and Motu Koita Villagers.

It was a huge turnout as locals witnessed a change of guard from the last 10 years.

Dadi Toka Jnr said the result of the MKA Election was a solid confirmation of the need for change, with only three members form the previous 17 returning.

The roadblock begins in front of the Sabama market all the way to Mahuru.

The road was closed after an eviction notice had been served on a local woman living at the junction of Sabama-Pari intersection, to vacate her premises to allow for the road development to continue through.

There are also fears that the rest of the homes within the sphere of the road development may be removed, forcing locals to close the road until a proper explanation.

He was declared today after surpassing the absolute majority by more than 390 votes.

The MKA chairman-elect says they have already hit the ground running.

At around 1:30pm a convoy of supporters rallied into the Sir John Guise Stadium led by Chairman-elect Dadi Toka Jnr to be declared.

It was a landslide victory for Dadi Toka Jnr, who was 3,240 votes clear of runner-up, Beatrice Mahuru.

Former Chairman, Miria Ikupu, polled 2,456 votes, 3,756 votes less than Dadi Toka Jnr.

Sir Michael was among family members and supporters who escorted Toka Jr to nominate as a candidate for the Chairman’s Seat at the PNG Electoral Commission office on Friday, 31st August.   

Team Toka had a successful campaign launch at Hanuabada Village on Saturday, 1st September, where over 5,000 people from all Motu Koita Villages attended.

The Motu Koita Assembly Act was endorsed in 2007 by the Somare Government. 

They paid for the current Member for Kirakira Seat, Arutu Bake, and new candidate for the Motu Koita Assembly Chairman’s Seat, Dadi Toka Jnr.

The villagers conducted a wheelbarrow push at Kirakira to raise the funds themselves.

An overwhelmed Dadi Toka said: “The gesture of other villages mobilising to pay for candidates from another village is rare in the Motu Koita Assembly elections. However, this is a true display of an emerging and united Motu Koita.”

Co-chair of the Hanuabada Village Fire Appeal, Dadi Toka Jr said he is pushing to have most of the houses ready before Christmas.

“Work has started. A couple of the houses have started putting in the timber that goes into the mud to set up the foundations of the houses that will go over water.

He added the money raised will cover the houses that were razed to the ground plus those that were partly damaged from the fire.

This is about healthy lifestyle choices and begins way before being diagnosed with cancer.

It is primary prevention.

Toka Jnr said the curative aspect of cancer (treating cancer) is expensive; not just in PNG but in the world.

“We only have one cancer unit in the country that does radiotherapy. There are other hospitals also that do chemo and surgical which we’re very fortunate. But once again, the options are very limited and this is where prevention is very important,” he said.

The lunch, formerly brunch, is a big fundraiser for the foundation that is held annually.

Proceeds go towards funding the foundation’s work in addressing cancer, in particular women's cancer in PNG.

The event, held at the Royal Papua Yacht Club in Port Moresby yesterday, sold over 20 tables at K3,500.

“We’re very humbled by that because I understand how difficult things are especially at the financial end, not just with individuals and families but also the corporate sector,” said the CEO, Dadi Toka Jnr.