Usino-Bundi

Districts seal new partnership

Over 40 people from the Yangoru-Saussia District travelled by sea and road from Wewak to Madang to farewell the Late Minister for Education and Member for Usino-Bundi, Jimmy Uguro whose final call of duty was to Yangoru-Saussia District where he visited Wingei High School and Pomalmal High School in the West Yangoru LLG on February 5, 2024.

Bogia, Usino Bundi Nears Declaration

The elimination of candidates had started and currently there are 15 candidates remaining in the race. 
The sitting member for Bogia, Robert Naguri is leading the race with more than 2000 votes difference. Running second is United Resource Party candidate, David Wama. 
 
According to information gathered from the Electoral Commission website the absolute majority of Bogia open stands at 21, 229. 
 

The epitome of perseverance

Willie Yoga hails from an electorate that has limited prospects; no health service, inadequate educational opportunities and stagnant economic growth.

The people of Usino-Bundi, in Madang Province, have been struggling to access basic government services for decades.

With no road infrastructure nor health facilities, the people of Bundi generally live a day at a time; but not Yoga.

Yoga dreamt of working in the field of health one day and he started off his journey by volunteering for 15 years.

‘Great Story For The Nation’

Director of the foundation, Vincent Kumura, described it as a “great story for the nation” at the conclusion of their program on the 29th of December.

Trekkers made up of medical officers, community health worker (CHW) students and members of the Kumura Foundation concluded their Travel2Change rural outreach program on the 27th of December in the Ramu Valley plains.

From there, they made their way to Madang Resort, where they set up camp at ‘Sugeng Aben’.

Pigs exchanged for health service

Road infrastructure, health and education are lacking at the remote Upper Bundi area of Madang Province.

It has gotten so bad that in desperation, those who are sick give pigs to fellow villagers to carry them to the nearest health centre.

One of the locals, Regina Mandawe, said though they vote in their political representative every five years, their leaders soon forget about them every time.

“Gavman giamanim mipla na rot ino kam,” she said. (The government lied to us; there is no road.)

Women’s council gets help

RAIL, through its community engagement office, received a request from the Usino-Bundi-Gama District Council of Women to support them in facilitating their women data survey.

The survey will cover the local level governments of the Usino-Bundi electorate, conducting interviews with women, collating data for women’s livelihood programs, capacity and empowerment programs as well as women’s literacy levels.

RAIL community engagement manager, Diane Mirio, presented 22 t-shirts and safety vests to the council as assistance in conducting their survey.

Men attempted to steal district vehicles: MP

The MP said seven men were arrested by Madang Police on Friday (January 26) when they stormed into the district head office and “illegally” took two of its Toyota LandCruiser.

The vehicles were earlier confiscated by the district authority and impounded at the office.

Uguro said the suspects were chased by Police and later apprehended.

Police also took the vehicles.    

Last year, the Usino-Bundi District Development Authority (UBDDA) made a decision to recoup all district assets, including vehicles and machineries.

Usino-Bundi needs proper audit: MP

Following submissions of Usino-Bundi acquittal reports from 2015 and 2016, Usino-Bundi MP Jimmy Uguro claims there were a lot of discrepancies.

He said he has written to the Secretary for Department of Implementation and Rural Development to send a team to the district to carry out proper audit.

The MP believes a number of projects have been left incomplete hence the audit will help the current administration identify these projects and complete them.