National Disaster Office

On commenting on the recent flood efforts undertaken by the Papua LNG Project launched on November 2, together with Gulf Provincial authorities and the project’s partners, Jerry Hape, Coordinator for the Gulf Disaster Office says the province faces many challenges.

“We don’t respond immediately in time of flood and rain because we cannot go through the river system because there will be logs, and rubbish, debris flowing down the river, so we wait until the flood stops.”

He says, because of these, they depend on ward councillors to send them updates and pictures.

This newsroom was on site and found the building locked with no officers in sight.

The National Disaster Office director, Martin Mose, would not comment on this matter when contacted.

Concerns are being raised by the public on the status of the office, especially in a time of disaster.

There is no clear indication on whether the office will be opened or when the matter will be dealt with.

This is not the first time the building has been closed.

In August 2016, the building was locked due to non-payment of rental.

Sir Michael in a supplementary question directed to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said PNGDF expertise must be used whenever natural disaster strikes anywhere in the country.

 O’Neill in response said, that was the norm but will direct the National Disaster Office to do more consultation with PNGDF to use their expertise when needed.

Picture by Kennedy Bani. 

“The Government (must develop a) National Disaster Policy, Provincial Disaster Mitigation Policy and Provincial Disaster Coordination Mechanism which the country does not have in place,” Juffa asked in Parliament today.

“Can we have some clarification, who is in charge when there is a natural disaster, is it the Department of Provincial & Local Government Affairs or is it the Prime Minister’s Office?”

National Disaster Committee (NDC) confirmed today that 1-2 million people are affected nationwide.

The team comprises of officers from the National Disaster Office, PNG Defence Force, PNG Red Cross, NARI and government departments including Works, Health and Agriculture and Livestock.

Chairman of NDC Dickson Guina said another three teams will be deployed this weekend to assess the situation on ground in Momase, New Guinea Islands and Southern region.

The teams will assess the impact of the drought, the capacity of food and water stocks and conduct awareness.