East New Britain

The launch of the first of seven solar dryers over the weekend marks another milestone in helping farmers continue to meet the international standards required for global confectionary markets.

With an initial shipment of 500 kilograms of cocoa planned for delivery to Japan in the coming weeks, the solar dryers demonstrate how much needed incomes can be generated in an environmentally sustainable way.

These efforts were given a significant boost with a second K100,000 grant provided by the Pomio District Development Authority on June 20^th. This follows a previous investment made in September 2018.

This funding will support the continuing efforts of farmers in the Melkoi Local Level Government to construct a second solar cocoa dryer, enable their participation in the Cocoa Excellence show in Lae to showcase products and continue developing locally made chocolate.

The downpour, which started on Sunday, is causing widespread flooding and as a result, the East New Britain Provincial Education Board suspended classes effective today, Wednesday 20^th February, until Friday, 22 February.

Chairman of the Provincial Education Board, Wilson Matava, issued the notice to all schools in ENB – from elementary to secondary, technical and vocational schools.

He said heavy rain is posing a threat to the safety of students. Classes will resume on Monday 25 February.

The MOU was signed between Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister and Kokopo MP, Emil Tammur, Provincial and National Government, and Asia Pacific Tourism Organisation (APTO).

The signing is geared to ensure Kokopo lives up to its name as the tourism hub of the country.

Minister Tammur said the signing now paves the way for work to begin so that the district and province can be ready to take in huge numbers of tourists.

Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Hon. Kevin Isifu in his welcoming remarks said that early warning is a key enabler for and core to effective disaster preparedness and risk reduction.

“Early warning is vital for us to direct often-finite amounts of resources to support timely, relevant and appropriate actions, starting with a persistent scanning of the horizon for hazards,” said Minister Isifu.

He added that the SDMOF theme has significant convergence with the overall APEC 2018 theme of “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future.”

Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Hon. Kevin Isifu in his welcoming remarks said that early warning is a key enabler for and core to effective disaster preparedness and risk reduction.

“Early warning is vital for us to direct often-finite amounts of resources to support timely, relevant and appropriate actions, starting with a persistent scanning of the horizon for hazards,” said Minister Isifu.

He added that the SDMOF theme has significant convergence with the overall APEC 2018 theme of “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future.”

Communities in Pomio district produce large amounts of cocoa but are isolated and lack access to transport infrastructure, making it difficult to supply their products to international markets.

With the recent signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding, these communities who are part of the Tavolo Wildlife Management Area, are now pioneering a new business venture that will see high quality cocoa exported directly to Japan.

Gideon Kakabin passed away yesterday in Canberra, Australia, after suffering a heart attack.

“The Rabaul Historical Society was saddened to hear of the passing of Gideon Kakabin,” Rabaul Historical Society secretary, Susan McGrade, told this newsroom.

“He was working on an ENB exhibition in Canberra. He had a heart attack last week, was revived and admitted to hospital ready for open heart surgery this Wednesday but he suffered another heart attack.

“This time he could not be revived.”

ENB provincial police commander, Joseph Tabali, said the fight, which started on Saturday, May 26^th, ended yesterday (May 28^th). It stemmed from frustrations by villagers who were subject to continuous harassment by youths from the neighbouring village of Nodup.

“Yesterday morning (May 28) an adult male from Malakuna number 4 was seriously wounded,” said Tabali.

“We were looking for (Nodup) suspects when he was attacked from behind.

“He was rushed to the Vunapope General Hospital but died because of loss of blood.”

The ENB campaign to keep the towns clean began last weekend with hundreds taking to the streets of Kokopo, Rabaul and Kerevat.

An initiative of the local chamber of commerce, the first community clean-up was a great success. David Stein, president of the ENBCCI, said it was great to see the number of businesses, community groups and schools doing clean-ups of their own areas.

The various business houses donated gloves and rubbish bins, rubbish plastics, trucks for picking rubbish, rakes and others, to help.