Mendi

The launch signifies the beginning of their efforts to conserve their forests, culture and their natural environment.

The launch took place at Yokai Base along the Tambul- Mendi Highway in Upper Mendi, witnessed by hundreds of people from Upper Mendi, Tambul, Nebilyer and heads of key government agencies and guests who travelled in from other provinces.

Chairman of Mount Giluwe Conservation Foundation Richard Kuna said the main aim of the foundation is to protect its pristine forests and natural environment around the precincts of Mount Giluwe.

A community leader and former senior public servant, Martin Firmin Pat has appealed to the authorities to respond immediately to contain the impact of COVID-19 on the province.

According to Mr Pat, since last month, there has been a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths in SHP but there is no evidence of viable response from the local government.

Commissioner of Police, David Manning confirmed this during a press conference yesterday, to provide an update on the work of the police.

“We successfully made eleven arrests and all suspects were to stand trial in Kundiawa for arson and willful destruction. However, as court proceedings progressed, the court prosecutor based in Kundiawa suddenly suffered illness and died within hours."

The Kumin Community Health Workers Training School joined by Christians from the other churches, youths and Catholics led the march.

The group chanted with placards and urged the killing of innocent mothers and sisters to stop and want justice and respect to prevail. 

“So-called witchdoctors, glassman and bamboo man that we hire make a business out of these false accusations by pointing fingers to identify our poor mothers and girls, (old/young) in society and destroying their dignity,” said Bishop Donald Lippert of Mendi Diocese and Hela.

The Mendi Airport is currently undergoing a K40.2 million development under the Civil Aviation Development Program (CADIP) implemented by the NAC.

Recently a landowner and busissman and the Southern Highlands Provincial Government raised concerns over projects ono-completion.

Landowner and businessman, Alex Awesa, queried the delay in the completion of the Mendi Airport Redevelopment saying the delay is creating an economic vacuum.

Southern Highlands Governor, William Powi, concurred and said the Provincial Government has raised the matter with the NAC.

NAQIA Managing Director Joel Alu said the team left for Mendi last Wednesday.

Mr Alu confirmed that 15 animal officers from NAQIA are currently in Mendi, Southern Highland Province, to investigate and establish preventative measures to try to contain the outbreak of the African swine fever in the Highlands region.

The African swine fever outbreak was first reported on March 29, 2020.

However, Alu explained that the scientists delayed their travel to Mendi because of the lockdown period.

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, John Simon revealed this in a press conference on Saturday.

Minister said it is not a health threat to humans if they come in contact with pigs, but it will greatly affect those who raise pigs as a source of income and food.

The African swine fever virus causes a hemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates in domestic pigs; it causes the death of animals as quickly as a week after infection.

At a recent media conference, Chairman of the main host organising committee, Sape Molumi, revealed that construction work on the main stadium for the track and field events is now in progress, including facilities for the other team sports.

Despite the negative publicities and the sequence of events that had occurred earlier this year, Mendi and Southern Highlands as a whole is ready to welcome visiting provincial teams to the games once the PNG Games Council gives a thumbs up.

He made the presentation in Port Moresby to Chairman of the SHPHOC, Sape Molumi, on Moday January 14th. 

The K500, 000 presented is from the 2018 commitment made by Provincial Government.

This amount is separate from the K10 million which has been allocated in the 2019 Provincial Budget for the necessary infrastructure.

Governor Powi said the presentation is a sign of the commitment of the Provincial Government. Games.