Goilala District

Goilala District Peace Program

While delivering her Independence address this morning, Governor Peter said the program will commence in the Guari Local Level Government (LLG) from Sept 18-21; Woitape LLG from Sept 23 – 26; and Tapini LLG from Sept 28 – 30.

“The PEC has resolved to see the peace and reconciliation program rolled out to the remaining LLGs in the Golilala District and be completed before Sept 12, 2025. I believe in doing so, we prepare our people to participate meaningfully and as responsible and valued citizens of this country to the development of their local communities,” said the governor.

Tuition fee subsidy for Goilala students

The officers were at the IBS University on Wednesday 26th April to announce the Students’ Tuition subsidy for 17 students attending the university.  

The Goilala DDA stated that K1 million was allocated towards tuition subsidy for students under the HECAS program attending 21 tertiary institutions.

Member Aia was represented by the Goilala DDA CEO, Titus Girau and the sponsorship coordinator Boniface Eve at the IBS to announce the K3,000 tuition subsidy per student.

Locals kill criminals

Provincial Police Commander, Senior Inspector Patterson Birigi said the five suspects were slain by angry relatives, after they found them while hiding in a remote village in Fane LLG.

“The gang led by Awa Pilot was believed to be responsible for various crimes around the Tolokuma area until they met their fate,” said PPC Birigi.

Tolukuma claim case reinstated

The Supreme Court reinstated the case after it was dismissed on 9 April 2014.    

It was filed by James Gabe and hundreds of locals in the Goilala District against Tolukuma Gold Mine Ltd.

The full court, in a unanimous decision, found the National Court erroneously dismissed it on the basis there was a delay of seven years in prosecuting the case.     

Goilala emergency response delayed

Local member William Samb said they have received a report from the Catholic Church alerting them of the situation.

Samb said a budget has been drawn up including this (emergency) specifically as well as for the medical assessment on ground.

But he said receiving funds was the cause of delay.

Speaking to Loop PNG this morning, Samb said he is aware that the funds into the district treasury should be confirmed today.

He said according to the budget, at least K50,000 each should be allocated for the two exercises.

Seven people busted for drugs

The suspects were caught by police during a road block at Eight-Mile in Port Moresby after traveling along the Hiritano Highway from Tapini on a PMV.

Gordon’s police confirmed that the men and woman were carrying dried marijuana stuffed in three 50kg bags of vegetables.

Police say they had walked from their village in Goilala before getting on the PMV along the highway.

The drugs were taken to the Gordons Police Station along with the criminals before they were brought to the drug unit to be weighed.

The suspects are now in police custody.

Woitape youth given K48,000 for games

This question was directed to the youth of Woitape LLG in Goilala District by the local member William Samb.

Locals have organised a rugby tournament that has seen 16 teams for both male and female from surrounding villages will participate.

The teams will have knock-outs this week leading up to semi-finals on Saturday.

Samb, who was on ground the previous weekend, returned over the weekend with K48,000 to sponsor the competition.

Samb puts funds to revive services in Goilala

Goilala Member William Samb was on ground over the weekend to talk with the people regarding initiatives to revive services in the area.

He presented K30,000 cash to the Auga-Dilava community to build a classroom and teachers houses.

“Time is of essence and we cannot prolong the denial of our children from education,” he said, when presenting the money to community leaders.

He told the people to use the available resources referring to materials from the bush to renovate two classrooms, build a new grade three classroom and two teacher’s houses.

Community tells story of neglect

Through songs and short dramas, they retold the story of how they've been neglected for the past 40 years.

Located 40 kilometres outside of Port Moresby, the community has been denied the most basic services such as schools, health centres and road links.

Samb sympathised with his people but told them to take the negativity as a challenge.

"I don't want to visit this place next time and hear sad songs or all negative talk.

"From here on, we should all be speaking one language and that's positivity," he said.

VSAT services beneficial to Goilala: Samb

Local member William Samb says to date, at least more than 20 emergency cases have successfully been medevac into Port Moresby by Manalosa Aviation as per the understanding with the company.

This has further been made easier with the VSAT installation program rolled out through the district this year, enabling smooth communication.

In a media conference on Friday, Samb extended gratitude to all key players that have allowed for the services to translate.