Frieda Mine

“Let us start by thinking about the Sepik River people for a moment, more particularly where we see them in 20 or 30 years’ time. Where do they see themselves in that timeframe?” queried the Governor.

“Will they still be fisher folk? Living a semi-subsistence life, selling carvings and other artefacts and performing traditional dances for tourists? Or will more of them desire a decent education, a career or start a business and move to live in a town or city?

A press conference was hosted today by the Minister for National Planning and Yangoru-Saussia MP, Richard Maru, Defence Minister and Telefomin MP, Solan Mirisim, and the Vice-Minister for Finance and Rural Development and Ambunti-Dreikikir MP, Johnson Wapunai.

Maru believes the project can unlock the vast economic potential of some of the most remote communities in Telefomin and Ambunti-Dreikikir districts.

“My personal success in agriculture and tourism has left me eager to help fellow Papua New Guineans increase their earning capacity from agriculture through improved productivity, marketing and value adding opportunities,” Bird said.

The candidate, when mandated after the June polls, will have to deal with the sensitive issue of Frieda Mine.