East New Britain

The program was initiated by the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Elias Wohengu, whose partner is from Kunakunai ward.

Wohengu is in the province with a state delegation from the Department and the PNG Defence Force for meetings with their United States (US) counterpart, to talk about a security agreement and on setting up a base for them in PNG.

He also presented K5,000 from the department to the health facility at Kunakunai ward.

Host Raluana LLG President, Tiolam Wawaga, said the area had been a no-go zone for a long time.

This will be made possible for the North Baining area through a public-private partnership.

Gazelle MP, Jelta Wong, who is also National Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, in partnership with local landowner, Henry Saminga Jnr, invited KKC Veneer Limited to set up a multimillion-kina veneer mill at Kurindal.

This was made public by Gazelle MP Jelta Wong on Thursday, 9th March.

Wong, who is also National Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, made the announcement at the Star of Seas School ground during the double launch of a K250,000 double classroom for the school and the commissioning of the K2.1 million electricity supply.

The double classroom was funded by the Gazelle District Development Authority (GDDA), of which Minister Wong is the chairman.

The K2.1 million power supply was sourced by Minister Wong from Kumul Consolidated Holdings Limited.

Sogau Trading is managed by a father and daughter team, Sakius Warlie and daughter Grace Warlie who are in the business of purchasing white copra from surrounding 100 farmers [local residents], which is then sold to exporters.

Due to high risks of handling large amounts of cash, attacks on staff and robbery, Sogau Trading was forced into early business closure. However, a few months after closure, word of Digicel CellMoni’s safe, secure and convenient services reached Mr. Warlie and his daughter, capturing the interest and led to them digitalizing their payments to the farmers.

The 14 youths from Kopi, at the Nukumal Plantation in the Laup Ward surrendered at 5pm in the heavy downpour.

Sinivit LLG President, Boniface Gerep, commended the 14 youths for surrendering, and thanked their elders for cooperating.

He further advised that the Sinivit LLG will today assist the women and children who were left homeless after their houses were burnt down over the weekend.

“Assistance is on humanitarian grounds,” he stated.

Made possible through NGCB’s Community Benefit Fund (CBF) program, the ambulance was secured by Gazelle MP and National Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, Jelta Wong.

PNG NGCB’s CBF Manager, Alice Mamu Kaian, was in Kokopo at the Ela Motors yard to hand over the vehicle to the district.

Central Gazelle LLG President, Joe Endo, thanked the PNGNGCB for creating the CBF.

The ambulance is purposely for the Catholic Church run Napapar Health Centre, and will be handed over to the health centre on Friday, 24th February.

The conference is set from 13-14 February 2023, and will talk about the issues affecting the ICT space; and to collaborate in finding solutions to address these in global forums, such as that of the International Telecommunication Union, while expressing such issues, as a ‘One Voice’ of the Pacific.

Heads of government ICT agencies in the Pacific region will attend the meeting and will lead towards the Pacific ICT Ministers Forum which is scheduled to be hosted in the country in March this year.

ENB Governor, Michael Marum, Gazelle MP and Minister for Fisheries & Marine Resources Jelta Wong, Pomio MP Elias Kapavore and Kokopo MP Eremas ToBaining Jr held the first awareness last Saturday January 28, 2023 in Kokopo with a 3 kilometer walk for peace. 

Rabaul MP Graham Rumet did not participate due to another prior commitment and was represented by LLG presidents.  

The call was made by the Acting Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector Gabriel Bandy, following the escape of six remandees from the Kerevat Correctional Institute.

Acting PPC Bandy stressed though it is only the beginning of the year, they are already reporting crimes of armed robbery and murder.

The Acting PPC believes other government departments within ENB can assist police by providing some intervention to address the ever-increasing rate of unemployed youths.

The drug bust was carried out by two officers from the Rabaul Urban LLG with the assistance of two Mobile Squad officers from Tomaringa, after they received a tip off.

This was the result of the special police operations for the festive season in Rabaul District, which commenced on Thursday Dec 22, 2022 and will run for 14 days.

The suspect brought the drugs that were carefully hidden in a bag of sweet potatoes from Lae, aboard the MV Kulau.