Namatanai

Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt made the announcement at the launching of Belhat Development Project 131 at Titigo village for wards 5 to 11 recently.

He said the NDDA has already approved K1 million which is now ready to be utilized for the scoping work to build the new assembly meeting area and administration.

He told the Matalai LLG president, Augustine Topi and his officers that 20 percent of the K1 million, about K200,000 must be spent on furniture and stationery for the assembly meeting area.

Villagers received water tanks, color bond sheets, ovens, pig fence and solar lighting units for families.

Lelet is located in the hinterlands of Sentral Niu Ailan Local Level Government where the high altitude and the cold climate contributes immensely to the production of best fruits and vegetables in the Namatanai District but has not seen service delivery in a long while.

Member for Namatanai, Walter Schnaubelt assured locals that the Belhat Development Project was delivered to their doorsteps and more was expected.

Chairman of the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) Leon Buskens said according to IPA data from 2014 to 2020 statistics, 80% of the foreign investment was from Namatanai District.

Buskens, who was in the district for the opening of the BSP branch, said Foreign Investment in Namatanai District alone was about K340m for the last six years due to forestry, Lihir Mine and Simberi Mine.

“Namatanai District is a powerhouse in PNG so let’s work together because we have a good leader and we have a bright future,” Buskens said.

One of the facilitators, Vanessa Nongkas Kihanges, a consultant with Miarosa Consultants, said the aim of the event was to educate participants on their basic legal rights, the court system, court procedures and penalties under various laws, such as the Summary Offences Act and Criminal Code.

The workshops were conducted on June 27^th to July 2^nd at Bo Village, Namatanai Village, Punam Market and Karu Village.

NDDA Chairman and Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt said the purpose of the K600,000 feasibility  study is to develop a best management system to cater for all the waste in the town and surrounding areas.

“We continue to pile rubbish in one location in town and there is a stench and it is also very unhygienic and an eyesore for the town users.

“I’m trying to address this and now I have got Pacific Green Technologies Eco-Solutions professional service to see what they can provide for us to cater for all the waste produced by human beings,” said Schnaubelt.

Member for Namatanai Walter Schnaubelt, said this when he visited the school to officiate at the opening three classrooms and an administration building.

The new buildings were constructed at a cost of about K95,000.

Schnaubelt praised how organized and disciplined the school was, and commended them on the parade they put on for the visiting dignitaries.

Two male and female TB wards and four units for health workers were built at a total cost of K416,000 through counterpart funding from the Namatanai District Development Authority (NDDA) who contributed k300,000, with K30,000 paid by the Big Tabar landowners Association. The remaining balance was paid by the United Church Christian Health Services and the Kimadan Health Center.

When opening the facilities, Namatanai MP and NDDA Chairman, Walter Schnaubelt said partnership is key to development in communities and without it, the district would not go far.

He said there was no proper public consultation and that it was a one-sided decision.

“What is the purpose of establishing a provincial constitutional committee months before the election?” Schnaubelt questioned.

“We have nothing to hide, we have spent the money delivering services and have acquitted all the funds. Be careful, do not use this committee as a witch hunt,” he warned.

During the presentation by the Namatanai District Development Authority (NDDA) board on Friday, deputy secretary operations of the DIRD, Steven Rambe, said: “Thank you for doing the right thing. This is evidence to show that you are delivering for our people and it shows how funds are being used to develop the district.

“I commend you for putting people’s interest first among any other things and that should be emulated by all the other MPs,” Rambe told Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt.

The initiation marks the bond and partnership between the people of Namatanai and the Opposition.

Dressed in traditional ‘Maimai’ (chief) attire, Opposition leader Patrick Pruaitch was hoisted on a wooden chair along with Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt and other leaders, including the Executive Manager for Newcrest, Craig Jetson. 

Pruaitch said such an initiation was a mark of friendship and partnership with the people of Namatanai and pledged to work with their local MP to bring services to their doorstep.