Jelta Wong

The decision comes after the National Fisheries Authority reviewed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Report of Safety Related Aspects of Handling ALPS Treated Water at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

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.

Wong, 44, is the third candidate in East New Britain to be declared Member of Parliament.

Returning Officer, John Wartovo declared Wong at 2.30 pm after the 31^st and final exclusion at midday. Wong’s final tally was 9,348 votes with National Alliance candidate and former Gazelle MP, Malakai Tabar coming in second with 6, 373 votes. The Absolute Majority was 7,861.

He made this statement following questions raised by East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird on the floor of Parliament on the progress of the report on Tuesday.  

“I would like to know if a finding has been made and if so, has that been made available to the family. If not, why not?

“There are others who actually suffer sometimes from treatment at the public hospital and it is not just the case of young Rex.

He urged the people of Lassul Baining Local Level Government to be positive moving forward into the future and not to fear the challenges ahead.

“Yes, we have challenges and obstacles along the way but we have come so far and we will not stop,” Mr Wong told the people.

Speaking during the ground breaking occasion for the Kipka community hall and opening of a market for women last Friday 21 January. He said people must embrace development and work with the government.

Sir Ronald, 88 of Ratavul Village in Rabaul District, passed away on Saturday 25 December, in Port Moresby after battling a long illness.

Minister Wong said ENB has lost another prominent leader who had contributed immensely to developing the province.

“Sir Ronald was among pioneer leaders such as late Sir Paulias Matane, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Martin ToVadek, Vin ToBaining, Oscar Tammur, Damien Kereku, Sir Henry ToRobert and Sir John Kaputin who devotedly worked hard to build the foundation in ENB and we are lucky to be here today,” said Minister Wong.

Five LLG Presidents raised this concern following the unannounced visit by Deputy Prime Minister, Sam Basil to the district recently.

They said such actions was disrespectful to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and that Member for Gazelle, Jelta Wong was not made aware of the DPM's visit.

The leaders said for whichever reason Mr Basil was in the province for, it is only right to inform authorities on the ground so people are able to accord respect to the national leader.

Wong described late Member as a true leader, and a man of peace, a friend to the people of Gazelle and East New Britain people, a dear colleague who will be remembered for his achievements.  

Wong said, late Sam Akoitai was instrumental in building bridges between the opposing sides in Bougainville. He said, late Akoitai demonstrated that, it takes a man of great courage, to extend the olive branch to the foes, and to strive for peace.

He argued that COVID-19 statistics was picked up from 'COVID-19 status in PNG.com’ dated November 4, 2021. Kapavore clarified that PNG registered 30,036 COVID-19 cases with 385 deaths. 

“So looking at these statistics, one can calculate that more than 29,000 recovered or 98 percent recovery rate.

“I am not anti-vaccine, but I am against the' No Jab, No Job Policy' especially when we are seeing increasing number of public institutions also adhering to the same. 

Minister Wong said Member for Pomio, Elias Kapavore and the Opposition are peddling fake news and showing total disregard for the lives and safety of citizens.

“Statement by the former Health Minister about the number of people recovering from COVID-19 is wrong,” he said.

This follows similar claims made my foreign anti-vaccination activists in other countries that have been discredited.

“The death rate for COVID-19 is not one per cent, as the Opposition claims with his misleading figure that one per cent of infected people have recovered.