East Sepik Province

The program is plus and is providing support and building the capacities to rehabilitate their already existing cocoa gardens and to establish and run sustainable and competitive cocoa cultivation in the Sepik region.

Rural women and youth groups in the Wosera and Maprik districts have been provided hands-on training, input, skills and supervision.

The EU-Funded STREIT PNG Program, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the program collaborating with the Foundation for Women in Agriculture Development.

The swearing-in which took place on Friday 12th February in Port Moresby, is big a relief for the province moving forward with its public works, some of which have been shelved due to the stringent requirements of the provincial government.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of the Provincial Procurement Committee at the National Procurement Commission head office, Governor for East Sepik, Alan Bird admitted there is K80million sitting in the provincial bank accounts allocated for public works. 

Frank Dunamb from East Sepik Province was charged and arrested for one count of wilful murder under s. 299 of the Criminal Code Act.

The defendant, residing at Five-Mile Ridge Lodge, is a former policeman and works for Black Swan.

According to court documents, on the 7^th of August, 2018, the deceased, by the name of Henry Sahu, was allegedly stabbed multiple times by the defendant at the Five-Mile Ridge Lodge.

Police alleged that the deceased was in his rental room when a phone call came in and when he stepped out to answer the call, he was attacked.

The K50,900,000 project was launched today in Wewak with the ground breaking ceremony by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, Civil Aviation Minister Alfred Manase, and East Sepik MPs, Governor Allan Bird,  Wewak MP Kevin Isifu and Yangoru-Saussia MP Richard Maru.

The provincial head, despite being in the Opposition, was among dignitaries who welcomed the Prime Minister.

The Boram airport, which is currently 1,600 metres, will be extended by 120 metres.

Provincial Administrator Dr Clement Malau said as the chief public servant, good governance is top of the agenda for his administration.

Since taking office in May of 2018, Dr Clement Malau made a commitment to focus on ensuring good governance and enhancing an evidence-based practice in the administration.

As the Chief Public Servant of the province, he hopes to live up to the expectations of the East Sepik people.

The Wautogik road was opened yesterday by Yangoru-Saussia MP and National Planning and Monitoring Minister, Richard Maru, and Member for Wewak, Kevin Isifu.

People danced, cheered and celebrated the road opening.

For 18 years these villagers walked more than 4 hours to reach the main Highway to get PMVs to travel into Wewak Town or other parts of the province.

This announcement was made today at the school, in Boikin-Dagua LLG of Wewak District, by Minister Richard Maru.

Banak Primary School was established around 1967.

The school has stood the test of time for the last 50 years, producing some of the province's educated elites.

Hosting Minister Maru and local member Kevin Isifu, chairman of the school Oto Sawiembi outlined the needs of the school.

A complete revamp or at least building additional classrooms is their biggest wish.

This initiative follows agreements by the university and district to offer selected courses in the resource centre in Maprik, East Sepik Province.

District CEO Joshua Himina said he is pleased with this initiative and for the University of Goroka to be the first to come through is a stepping stone not only for the district but throughout the provinces.

Students are eager to learn and or further their education however, the absence of facilities makes it difficult for them.

This follows the eruption of a sleeping volcano, which erupted at least 16 hours ago.

Kopar councillor Tom Kelly told this newsroom that the boats were sent out as soon as they noticed that something was wrong. However, the boats are yet to return.

Kopar is the nearest island – at least a thirty-minute boat ride to Kadovar.

Kelly said at the moment, thick clouds can be seen from the island, and the clouds are darker and increasing at an alarming rate.

He said they are yet to receive a response from the disaster office or government.

“I was motivated to support a leader like Governor Allan Bird in his aspirations to make a difference for the people of the East Sepik Province and be an example to the rest of PNG,” says Dr Malau.  

He says he is capable of taking up the provincial administrator’s position despite a background in health due to his credentials with Harvard University.

“Harvard public health taught me the values of humanity: Fairness, justice, equality, and using evidence for decision making in public health practice.