Papa

But most importantly, it is a day to look back on the birth of Christ.

These were the sentiments shared by villagers of Papa Lealea, outside Port Moresby.

They say Christmas is the day Christ was born, the day revelation came into the world.

The villagers are planning on celebrating the day with church services and exchange of gifts among families and youth groups, or other fellowship groups.

For these two joined villages, Christmas is a moment that will commemorate Christ's birth and also unity.

Recently the staff successfully concluded a three-month program to help the schools and students who were being impacted by this year’s dry season.

Students were unable to complete full days at school due to water shortages.

The water cartage initiative began in September after the site operations team was able to adjust plant needs for water and redirect a portion of the site’s potable water supply to the cartage program. A delivery roster was then set up with the schools to provide potable water on a regular basis. 

 This includes the Minister for Lands Benny Allan, his secretary, their servants and agents.

The National Court will be judicially reviewing the forfeiture of land known as portion 2747, land located along the PNG LNG Project area.

This comes after Laba Holdings Limited, the landowner company that represents the four villages of Porebada, Boera, Papa and Lealea, filed a motion in court seeking interim orders and Judicial Review.

Justice Leka Nablu issued the restraining orders this morning after she allowed for a judicial review to be carried out.

Konekaru Holdings Limited (KHL), a company representing landowner from the Iaro Gaha Clan in Papa, says the investment plan will be bring more business and more employment opportunity for his people.

KHL owns land on which Orica, an international explosives making firm has leased to establish the first of its kind explosives manufacturing site outside of Port Moresby.

KHL Chairman, Morea Geita, says the company will use royalty payments to invest in other business as another means of revenue generation.

Officially called the ‘Orica Konekaru Site,’ the facility is located in Papa, Central Province, and is a few hundred metres from the Papa-Lealea Road and opposite the PNG LNG Plant Site.

The opening of the site follows from an agreement signed between landowners and Orica five years ago.

Chairman of Konekaru Holdings Limited, Morea Geita, said he was happy with the outcome of the agreement, as it will put Konekaru on the world map.

The Iaro Gaha clansmen said the investment by Orica will be used to their advantage, for the betterment of his people.