Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA)

• Nayudo LLG – Teptep, Bambu, Gwarowan and Mibu/Tibu;

The cheque presentation took place on Wednesday 18 January, 2023.

RAA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hau’ofa Sailasa said: “Thank the good governor, Sir Peter Ipatas for his time and commitment to his rural people in Enga Province through this funding support cheque for the continuous maintenance of the existing airstrips on the RAA’s maintenance program, as well as the opening of the six other airstrips this year.”

RAA CEO, John Bromley, said this in Western Province recently.

Bromley was in the Province to welcome the first flight into Balimo, in Middle Fly, which had been closed for five years.

Bromley said Western Province’s unique geographical composition of vast flood plains, rivers and mountains made it one of the most difficult areas to access.

He said like many other rural communities, the need for air services was crucial.

The restoration program is conducted on the airstrips that were closed due to land erosion, vegetation overgrowth or flooding.

After identifying and prioritising of the airstrips that needed restoration, an initial survey on the airstrip was conducted to determine the scope of work and what equipment was needed.

There are almost 500 closed airstrips around Papua New Guinea.

Many of these airstrips are in areas of relatively large communities with existing government and church presence.

The RAA says dialogue with stakeholders will improve prioritization of airstrip and works to be done while feedback gives updates on the conductions of airstrip.

This was revealed during the Consultative Implementation & Monitoring Council (CIMC) National Forum in Port Moresby this year.

Many airstrips in PNG are the lifeline for service delivery in rural areas. However, there has been a lack of service delivery due, impart, to several issues affecting airstrips. They include: