West Sepik province

Refurbished Lote Sub-Health Centre

This follows a facelift and refurbishment by BSP Vanimo Branch this month as part of the branch’s community project for 2021.

The surrounding communities of Lido, Dawaoh and Daunda can now enjoy a well-lit facility from a reliable clean energy source that powers up the centre.

With the country facing another COVID-19 surge in cases, the BSP Vanimo Branch also came with a timely assistance, providing a fridge for the medical staff to safely store vaccines.

West Sepik Celebrates Independence

Taking into consideration the COVID-19 restrictions, the Administration was only able to put up a little show to recognize the day.

West Sepik Governor, Tony Wouwou was present to witness the ceremony. The day started with a short March, led by the Discipline Forces, public servants and selected schools to the main oval grandstand in town.

At the main oval grandstand, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force from the Forward Operation Base in Vanimo paraded in front of invited guests, dignitaries and the public who braved the rain to witness the small but significant event.

Wharf to complement projects

National Planning and Monitoring Minister, Richard Maru, announced this during a visit to the plantation on the second day of the fact-finding mission to Sandaun.

The oil palm project and oil mill are expected to become a major revenue earner for Sandaun.

Minister Maru and his delegation travelled to Bewani to see firsthand the development of the plantation as well as the oil mill.

NAQIA probes food poisoning reports

The MAF service said they received an emergency call asking them to travel immediately to Edwaki to bring eight patients to Vanimo Hospital for immediate medical attention.

The eight reportedly had food poisoning.

There are still confusing reports whether they are the victims of the recently reported outbreak of maggots found in live animals in the hinterlands of West Sepik Province.

Officers from the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA) are currently in West Sepik Province to investigate these reports.

Special Economic Zone in West Sepik

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, revealed this when he arrived in Vanimo, West Sepik Province, yesterday.

Maru is leading a Government delegation on a fact finding mission to see the development of the SEZ in Sandaun.

Accompanying Minister Maru is Minister for Provincial Affairs, Kevin Isifu, PNGDF Commander, Gilbert Toropo, Secretary Transport, Roy Mumu, Secretary for Provincial Affairs, Dickson Guinea, Water PNG Managing Director, Raka Taviri, and National and Civil Identity Registrar, Michael Kumung.

New classroom for Lumi primary

Lumi Primary School chairman, Greg Ouke, said this when thanking Bank South Pacific who handed over the infrastructure recently.

Ouke also said the new classroom will allow for effective learning to take place.

The classroom was handed over by BSP Aitape branch manager, Alex Wafimbi, following a 10-month construction involving a local contractor and BSP Staff.

He said the project was a team building exercise and to promote their values of community, teamwork, leadership and people.

WSP locals want road improvement

They say the maintenance of roads will have a positive impact on the lives of people.

Alexia Api and Anna Bupi from Osima Village outside of Vanimo City said the road from their LLG into Vanimo Town is unusable.

She said locals are forced to use a nearby river to transport their produce for selling however, this creates further problems.

Other residents from as far as Aitape district said traveling to the provincial hub is very costly.

Financial literacy giving women opportunities

Participants in the training say it was an eye opener and one that gives them confidence to make better decisions.

The recent graduation of participants in the financial literacy program saw a good number of female trainees receive their certificates.

Some of them included primary school children from as far as Nuku District, who made the long journey to receive their certificates.

Grade Seven student Dorothy Arket was thankful for the training, saying she realises the importance of saving money.

Measles contained within Vanimo: Official

Berry Ropa – current outbreak coordinator – says to date, the district has had 57 cases, six of which have been confirmed from the laboratory and 2 unconfirmed deaths.  

A team has been dispatched into the district to carry out a verbal autopsy to determine the cause of death.

But for now, Ropa says the National Department of Health has been working closely with the provincial health authority and other partners on ground, and have managed to contain this contagious disease within the district.

​Measles outbreak in Vanimo

The National Department of Health has confirmed this, reporting three villages in Vanimo-Green District affected.

NDoH also noted a quick response from the provincial team in sending a vaccination crew to schools and villages to vaccinate children enrolled from grades 1-8 and under five within the catchment area.

In a statement, Secretary for Health, Pascoe Kase, confirmed the province has 18,000 doses of measles vaccine available for the targeted population.