Rigo district

This is an initiative of the Digicel Foundation in partnership with the office of the Member for Rigo and the District Development Authority.

The partnership for the purchase of the mobile health centre was signed on Monday, November 12^th.

Many sectors in both districts and provinces lack resources and facilities and in the health sector, mobile health services or fully kitted ambulances is one of the vital resources that is lacking; and this is no exception for Rigo District in Central Province.

Local member Lekwa Gure said the Central Province district will do this by capitalising on its agriculture sector.

Agriculture is one of the district’s potential sectors and with its headquarters – the Kwikila Township – an hour-and-a-half away from one of the country’s biggest markets, Port Moresby, presents numerous opportunities.

“That is the biggest opportunity we are trying to capitalise on and make Rigo District the food basket for the National Capital District,” said Gure.

The office of the member is now in dialogue with external stakeholders.

There are many aspects of the plan but rehabilitating the Kwikila Township tops the list.

Kwikila Township is the engine room of the district.

This is where the district staff carry out administrative duties.

Thus local MP Lekwa Gure says the district cannot talk about development without fixing its headquarters.

“First of all we need to establish land boundaries of Kwikila followed by improving water and sanitation needs, which is also a development need of the district,” he said.

This was revealed today by Member for Rigo, Lekwa Gure, during the first ever district dedication service held at Kwikila.

Gure said being non-compliant reflects badly on the leadership and administration, which public servants are a major part of.

“I'm talking about acquittals. Acquittals on the expenditure of public funds. It is very important.

“You need to acquit in order to be given further funding," said Gure.

The service is a first-of-its-kind at the district level.

The dedication service is being held with the theme "Serving God first so that the people of Rigo can be served".

Currently, Rigo District is categorised as "non-compliant" due to non-acquittals, revealed Member for Rigo Lekwa Gure.

He challenged the public servants to remain focused on their responsibilities and transform Rigo and its current status.

Returning Officer for Rigo District Virgil Waisa said the district established a fourth LLG last year due to the large land mass and increasing population.

Rigo District has a total area of   5,072 km2 and a total population of 56,509 from the 2011 National Census.

The current three districts are Rigo Central Rural, Rigo Coastal Rural and Rigo Inland Rural.

Rigo Inland has been split into two LLGs called Rigo North and Rigo East.

Waisa said with the establishment of the new LLG, basic services and development projects can be delivered faster.   

During Friday's nominations, the road blocks were set up in a way where vehicles moved in a one way in and one way out manner.

Officers on duty said so far, no major faults or incident in relations to the nominations have occurred.

Police are only controlling traffic at the main market area so supporters share a common a ground to campaign and support their candidates.

The road is the only access for the people of Aroma Coast in Central Province to the Rigo inland areas.

People in the area are now calling on their local members to quickly act to ensure this is avoided in future.

It is indeed a sad sight to see villagers jumping off their vehicles to cross this flooded area, the bridge that links this road is covered under water each time the wet season kicks in.

The road is accessed by people from the Coast and Rigo Inland villages, with most PMVs being forced to abandon their route and turn back.