Oro Province

Northern Governor Gary Juffa who had been at the forefront of pushing the government for the shares of the dividend, was a happy man yesterday when he officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony in Popondetta.

Governor Juffa was persistent in securing K40 million through the shares from the Oil Palm dividend, part of which would be used for the project.

The event was graced by several distinguished guests, including the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape, and various government officials and community leaders.

The event began with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the traditional landowners of Popondetta, paying tribute to their foresight and generosity in permitting the township's development.

He made this announcement through a media conference held on Monday 7th August that the festival for the first time will feather Papua New Guinea artist like Wame Blood, Stagajah and other PNG musicians on the show.

Unlike the Tapa and Tatoo festival, this event is established as an avenue to showcase local talent through the art of music.

MP Masere said this festival will be the first of its kind initially held at Popondetta every 16th of September to showcase the art of music through local talent and embrace the existence of Papua New Guinea's music industry.

Sohe MP Henry Jons Amuli said these when announcing the arrival of first lot of earthmoving machineries purchased by the Sohe District Development Authority (SDDA) from China to Port Moresby last Friday, June 30, 2023.

Mr Amuli said Sohe District connected four Local Level Governments (LLGs) of Kokoda, Higaturu, Kira and Tamata but two of the LLGs of Kira and Tamata are not connected by roads.

"When elected as MP is 2017, I spent my time walking the entire Sohe District and have seen firsthand the struggles and challenges my people have gone through.

Here are the top five contenders after count 3

1. RICHARD MASERE – PNG Greens Party – 2281
2. Menson Goumei Yaura – Independent – 290
3. Sheldon Deilala – PMC – 267
4. Peter Toroipo – Independent – 249
5. Jackson Ragusa – PNC – 187

These updates are as of 11 last night, 19^th July.

Students from the primary schools of Igora, Resurrection, Hohorita, Popondetta and Popondetta Secondary School enjoyed the day representing Australia, Bangladesh, West Indies, England, India and New Zealand.

Music could be heard around the whole town as the girls took to the pitch in high spirits.

Those who did not make the finals took shelter from the hot sun and cheered on the New Zealand and England teams. 

In what is always a chilling moment for any New Zealand cricket fan, the final ended in a tie and went to another super over. 

In the statement, the provincial government stated that a rumor is being spread that citizens can obtain quotations for store goods from a popular supermarket in Popondetta town, to be paid for by the Oro Provincial Government.

This is NOT true, the statement emphasized.

OPG said they do not endorse or promote such activities and informs the public to not become victims of this scam.

These rumors have caused havoc for both the public in Popondetta and the owners and employers of the supermarket.

Hombega’s story goes back into the colonial days when there was a divide between the white and the black people. He was just a youth who dropped out of standard 6 and joined the Correctional Services as a prison warden at Giru Prison Camp.

Air Niugini and PNG Air flights into the province have been cancelled for a day while most people were warned to stay indoors.

Provincial Administrator, Trevor Magei has confirmed that the epic centre was at Ubo, Safia local level government areas in Ijivitari district on the border of Oro and Central provinces.

He said the Rabaul Volcano Observatory centre, GEO Observatory Hawaii, National Disaster Centre and the Oro Provincial Disaster Centre, confirmed the earthquake measuring 5.3 magnitude on the Richter scale.