Pomio

Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) Secretary, Aihi Vaki, made the announcement, which has been described by Kapavore as a vote of confidence on the district’s effort towards strengthening good governance.

The platform has already been piloted in both the Nuku District of West Sepik Province and the Wabag District of Enga Province, and so far, it has proven to be a success.

The distribution of the tree seedlings was from two suppliers; teak tree stumps from OISCA International Rabaul and Eaglewood seedlings from the Sinivit LLG.

Speaking at the ward’s government meeting on Tuesday, July 25^th, the LLG Rural Development Officer, Lynette Samuel, said each of the 18 wards in the LLG will be supplied 300 Eaglewood seedlings, and names would be registered so that they will undergo training after the distribution.

Pomio coffee farmers produce the largest amount of coffee, but are currently selling their produce to the mainland after the factory at Kabakaul in Kokopo shut down following the death of its manager a few years back.

Realising the need to bring the market closer to the people, the Pomio District Development Authority, through its board, decided to set up a coffee factory in the district’s headquarters at Palmalmal.

This was the statement made by Pomio MP, Elias Kapavore, after defecting to PANGU Pati from People’s National Congress (PNC) party.

After expressing his gratitude to PNC and former Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, Kapavore said PNG would be celebrating 50 years of independence within three years, and Pomio needs to move with its development plans.

He also outlined that his move is to strengthen the presence of one of the oldest political parties, PANGU, in East New Britain Province.

Pomio deputy district administrator for operations, Joshua Jeremiah, outlined that the empowerment of the lowest level of government at the wards is an oath of affirmation of the members of the WDCs, with the ward members as chairpersons of their respective WDCs.

He said having the largest landmass in East New Britain Province, the delivery of basic services remains a challenge for Pomio District.

The one-day program was held at the Serenguna Primary School for WDCs of 8 wards in zone 2, East New Britain Province.

The eight committees comprised of 56 members; with seven members per ward, which is inclusive of the ward member as the chairman of the WDC and the ward recorder.

Pomio deputy district administrator for operations, Joshua Jeremiah, said there is a training program for ward recorders in the coming week for the district, to be held at Palmalmal town.

Funded by Japanese-based Cosmo Oil Company, the program ended on Friday, August 12^th, with the presentation of certificates to 17 participants that came from the ARM wards and also Marambu and Sanbam wards within Sinivit LLG.

Facilitator, civil rights activist and chairman of the Klampun Conservation Association in the East Pomio LLG, Patrick Kaupun, said the training aimed to help the landowners to appreciate and value each other and their natural environment.

Another 30 minutes of boat ride would take to reach Pomio patrol-post, now a sub-station covering Central Inland Pomio.

The distance between Pomio station and Milei is about 32 kilometres by road and it is in Milei and its neighbouring village Pakea where the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) has established two models farm for potato seed production back in 2018.

Potato grows very well in this inland part of Pomio where the altitude is high and the climate more suitable coupled with a stretch of fertile land.

The funding support came through its District Subsidy Scheme that allows for the payment to its student’s tuition fees.

Member for Pomio, Elias Kapavore was on hand to present the cheque at the University of PNG main campus on Tuesday this week.

The Member was warmly welcomed by the Pomio students who are members of the East New Britain Students Association.

Pomio District has continued to support its students through Tertiary Students Support scheme for the past four years.