Morobe Provincial Government

This was announced on Thursday, May 19 at the Funeral Service of the late MP at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.

The AES is to be named as, ‘Saonu-Basil Academic Excellence Scholarship’, the K400,000 annual scholarships will be administered to students for Political & Development Sciences in Post- Graduate and PhD Studies.

Morobe Governor, Ginson Saonu made this announcement and explained that the scholars will capture the legacy of the Late Sam Basil for Morobeans for generations to come.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Jacob Singura said K1million is allocated for security operations for Morobe. A big portion of this money will be used to cater for the allowances of the additional manpower from PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) and the PNG Correctional Services (PNGCS) as well as logistical support for police.

“Manpower and logistical support are our biggest challenge, especially for a province like Morobe with a big landmass and scattered population,” said Singura.

Presenting the 2022 budget at Tutumang Haus was Governor Ginson Saonu, who said the budget was made up of over K374 million from national grants and more than K220 million from internal revenue.

Saonu said 67 percent of the internal revenue comes from the Goods and Services Tax. “The revenue sources speak volumes that we have to be smarter and take further steps to improve other revenue streams,” he stated.

“We should not depend on GST alone but increase other revenue areas and invest in other unconventional revenue sources to increase our internal revenue.”

The presentation was done at Ampo ELC-PNG Headquarters and was witnessed by ELC PNG Head Bishop Dr Jack Urame, his deputy Lucas Kedabing, Secretary Bernard Koisam, Lutheran University Chairman Dr Eric Kwa, university council members, and Morobe Provincial Administrator Bart Ipambonj.

The presentation arose from a commitment made initially by PM Marape in 2019 at Boana Synod and follows the endorsement of the Lutheran University Certificate during the Papua Synod in Port Moresby this year, then the passing of the Lutheran University Bill in Parliament last week.

This follows a meeting at Mampin village in Umi-Atzera LLG on Sunday February 13, 2022 between OPIC General-Secretary, Kepson Pupita, Morobe Provincial Administrator Bart Ipambonj and landowner leaders.

It is also in line with the vision of the Marape-led Government to economically empower people in rural areas of the country.

The Markham villagers have been waiting for more than 10 years for smallholder oil palm to take off in the valley, following the launching by former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, but to no avail.

Governor Saonu said after three years of assessment in the area, they saw that the area has an increasing number of students and therefore has been putting a lot of strain on existing high schools such as Nawaeb Lutheran High School, Bumayong Lutheran Secondary School and Boana High School.

Governor Saonu said in the Morobe 2022 provincial budget, a funding allocation will be made to establish ground works, school site and infrastructure for the new institution to be built.

The opening at Ward 12 was celebrated with the completion of two new classrooms for Bonza Preschool; an initiative of Morobe Deputy Provincial Administrator Miring Sigoling. The initiative was supported by the Morobe Provincial Government.

Lae MP and Lands Minister, John Rosso, made this statement in relation to an incomplete classroom at Huonville Primary School.

K500,000 was allocated in 2019 by the Morobe Provincial Government to build a classroom for Huonville Primary School.

Disbursed by the provincial works division, the contractor of their choice received payment but only managed to build a foundation.

In 2019, the Morobe Provincial Government paid K500,000 to the provincial works division to build new classrooms for the Huonville Primary School.

The provincial works division allegedly contracted a former politician’s son to carry out construction.

Two years later, the school is still following up on the promised classrooms.

Morobe provincial education program adviser, Keith Tangui, said the Provincial Education Board will initiate a probe into the missing funds.

The farm and factory workers of Mainland Holdings Ltd wish the same courtesy could be extended to them. All they want is for management to listen to their fears regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and look for a way forward.

Ellis Philip works at the wrapping unit of the Six-Mile Tablebirds processing plant.

She has been with the company for 11 years.

Most of the women she works with are either widowed, divorced or separated. They commonly refer to themselves as “trangu mama”.