Western Star

DEAD FISH CAUSING HEALTH RISK FOR LOCALS IN MIDDLE FLY

Dead Fish Floating on the surface of the water…. *Photo Courtesy of Junlai Nawalin*

BY KENNY ROMANUS

Komovai and Kaviananga Villages in Middle Fly are at high health hazard with dead fish floating on the surface of the water causing foul smell.

Over more than 1,000 plus dead fish have been seen floating on the surface of the Lagoon at a particular spot between Komovai and Kaviananga Villages.

The Komovai Ward Councillor, Mr. Phidelis Phillie confirmed the situation that the fish have started dieing last week but was not noticed by the community until it came to his notice over the weekend.

Mr Phillie says “this area is the favourite fish spot for the locals and this is where the villagers go and get sago for survival”

Officer In Charge(OIC) for OBO Health Center, Mr. Junlai Nawalin in an interview told Post Courier that, the hospital has recorded a higher number of patients with Skin Itchiness and Small Sores.

Mr. Nawalin said he went in a dinghy ride to the spot where the dead fish are located and told this paper that some fish died 3-4days ago while some are recently died few hours ago and floating on the surface.

Mr. Nawalin made a community announcement at the main oval where the independence celebration is taking place and people gave responses say they also saw 3 species of fish such as Catfish, Greasy Fish and Not Only Makau (Tilapia) was affected.

Meantime, it is unknown to the locals the cause of this and they are calling on the authorities to bring in environmental experts to investigate this matter as people need to know the fact of what’s happening because their lives depending mostly on the river system and need answers.

NEW EYE CARE EQUIPMENT FOR DARU HOSPITAL

Eye Care Specialists, Sr. Bolgy Ismael and Sr. Hellen Gagole showing the newly mounted Split Lamp.

BY KENNY ROMANUS

Daru Provincial Hospital is one of the longest serving hospitals as Daru being the Headquarters for Western Province.

Patients with eye conditions can now access services at Daru Hospital before being referred to Port Moresby for further treatment.

Daru Provincial Hospital received a brand-new Slit Lamp Device to improve its eye care services to general public as of Monday 4th July through Fred Hollows Foundation.

The Slit Lamp is special microscope and light that allows examination of eyes in three dimensions, both inside and outside to detect diseases or abnormalities to conduct proper examination and diagnose eye disease on patients with eye symptoms at the hospital.

Eye care specialist, Sr. Hellen Gagole says “There has been an increase in the number of patients with eye conditions since March this year prompting the need for expansion of this service at the hospital. She also said “plans for proper eye clinic set-up and refurbishment is underway”

Western Provincial Health Authority’s (WPHA) Director for Curative Health Services, Dr. Mirruam Boga stated in a Press Release saying “This is an important service that the hospital has been lacking for a longtime and our people will greatly benefit. With the Slit Lamp, accurate diagnosis can be made with appropriate treatment and early referrals when required.

Prior to this, the eye specialists have been providing basic eye checkups and treatment including prescriptions for glasses to patients.

Meantime, WPHA, Daru Provincial Hospital and Partners wound like to thank the Fred Hollows Foundation and the Church of Latter-Day Saints New Zealand for the worthy Donation.

TOTAL LIQUOR BAN IN WESTERN PROVINCE

*Liquor Shops in Kiunga Closed for Independence Celebration*

BY MARTHA BUCKLEY

A total liquor ban on the sale of alcohol is being imposed in Western province effective as of yesterday the 14th of September to the 21st of September 2022.
The purpose of the ban was to ensure a peaceful and trouble free 47th Independence Anniversary celebration in Western province.

In a statement released yesterday by the Deputy Chairman for Western Province Liquor Licensing Commission Board and PPC Western Province Silva Sika Biyama the ban will be inforce for the duration of the Independence celebrations throughout the province.

This means that the sale of alcohol in all outlets is sanctioned by the liquor Licensing board.

The ban would apply to storekeepers, bottleshops, taverns and public bars in hotels.
All restaurants, hotels and guest houses will be allowed to serve guests with alcohol as part of their meals.

PPC Sika says police officers will be conducting surveillance during the period of liquor ban.
Those outlets that do not comply will have their liquor licenses suspended and revoked if found in breach of the restrictions and will be dealt with and charged.

Meantime, the total liquor ban will be lifted on the 22nd of September allowing all liquor outlets to return to normal operations.

TOTAL LIQUOR BAN IN WESTERN PROVINCE

BY MARTHA BUCKLEY

This means that the sale of alcohol in all outlets is sanctioned by the liquor Licensing board.

The ban would apply to storekeepers, bottleshops, taverns and public bars in hotels.
All restaurants, hotels and guest houses will be allowed to serve guests with alcohol as part of their meals.

Meantime, the total liquor ban will be lifted on the 22nd of September allowing all liquor outlets to return to normal operations.

KIUNGA TOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL CELEBRATES CULTURAL SHOW

Gogodala Students Attending KTPS dressed in their Traditional Attire

BY KENNY ROMANUS

THE Kiunga Town Primary School with more than 1000 plus students enrolled this year celebrated it’s 4th School Cultural Show.

The students from various cultural backgrounds were grouped into regions and dressed in their traditional attire. They performed dances from each provinces within the region.

The dancing groups include; Momase, Highlands, Southern, New Guinea Islands and local dancing groups from Western Province.

The local dancing groups were; Awin, Yongom, Delta & Middle Fly, Faiwol, Ningerum & Nomad, South Fly and West Papuans.

There were eleven dancing groups in total who represented their cultural groups.

Present at the event was, Head Teacher for KTPS, Mr. William Raim, Provincial Education Advisor, Mr.Charlie Buia, North Fly Education Superintendent, Mr. Melchior Dabuna, North Fly District Administrator, Mr. Greg Issau and witnessed by the Parents and Citizens.

It’s was a meaningful event to the students as they showcased their traditional attire to the general public and shown how proud they were of their vast cultures.

Meantime, Papua New Guinea is a developing nation and in such cultural events organised by schools, it educates the young ones to uphold their culture from dying out.

NORTH FLY TO BENEFIT TRADE FROM INDONESIA

BY MARTHA BUCKLEY

THE government’s new focus and priorities on trade and investment with the Republic of Indonesia will sustain Western’s North Fly district in the long run when the giant Ok Tedi Mine ceases operation.

North Fly MP and Vice Minister for Mining and Border Development Hon. James Donald made this statement recently in support of the Minister for Trade and Investment, Richard Maru, who announced last week that the government was set to shift attention to Asia for trade, starting with Indonesia.

In a statement released Donald says North Fly’s vision around trying to look into Indonesia was a substitute to Ok Tedi Mine, purely for it’s well-being and sustainability.

He says they want to declare North Fly area especially the Ningerum local level government where the border development is happening to be free trade zone.

“North Fly has already commenced road project back in 2018 that would connect his district with the Papua Province of Indonesia.”

Donald says this road infrastructure is vital as it would be a catalyst for trade and investment between Western Province and Indonesia as this will enable further developments in our border areas such as the free trade zone concepts, to trigger more business activities.

He says the Alicepit in Ningerum to Yetetkun (Indonesia) road was a result of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Papua Province of the Republic of Indonesia and Western Province.

Donald therefore welcomed the government’s announcement and commended Minister Maru for his foresight and leadership in this new paradigm shift concerning the trade and investment in our country.

PNG-Australia Joint Border Partrol

The Joint Cross Border Patrol team visit to Daru as their Day 1 patrol commenced.

BY MARTHA BUCKLEY

OFFICERS from the PNG and Australian government law enforcement agencies have begun their joint cross border patrol in the Toress strait and the 13 treaty villages in PNG this month.
The Joint Cross border patrol was suspended in 2020 after the covid 19 pandemic and resumed in September 2022.

The Joint cross border patrol is comprised of the Australian Border Force, Department of Home Affairs, Australian Federal Police,Queensland police,PNG Customs, PNG police and the PNG Immigrations.

The patrol is led by PNG Customs and the Australian border force.

The primary focus of the Joint patrol is to build relationships and maintain cooperation between the law enforcement officers in Daru (PNG)and Thursday Island(Aust).

The patrol provided opportunity for officers from both country to familiarize themselves with the villages, people and environment along the PNG and Australian border and to combat border threats such as illegal importation of prohibited items.

The current patrol aims to get the views of the treaty communities and assess the situation before the borders are expected to open later on next month.

Meantime PNG Customs Manager(Daru) Gibson Honjepari refused to comment citing reasons that he is unauthorized to comment on the active operation of the Joint patrol without the Chief Commissioner David Towe’s approval.

North Fly DDA SIGNS MoU with NID Office

**Hon. James Donald with NFDDA Staff Members and NID Officers showing the signed M**oU

BY MARTHA BUCKLEY

North Fly District Development Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the PNG Civil and Identity Registry office (PNGCIRO) yesterday to carryout the registration of its people.

According to NID National Office in Port Moresby North Fly District is the number 30 out of the 96 districts to have a MOU signed.

In the next few weeks and months NID officers will take site for commencement of setting up the office in Kiunga.

North Fly MP and Vice Minister for Mining and Border Development James Donald during the signing of the MOU says NID is an essential part of development.

There are issues with the total number of population and difficulties with commercial arrangement purposes, ILG incoperation, and others that require National Identification Card (NID) .

However,now that the deal is signed he is looking forward in getting all the people in North Fly District to register.

North Fly District has 5 LLG ( Kiunga Urban, Kiunga Rural, Ningerum, Olsobip, Star Mountain).

The NID team will commence the rollout of NID immediately doing those wards in the Urban areas, those that are accessible by road, river then followed by remote wards with the aim to complete the entire North Fly within two years from now.

He is appealing to all the respective Ward Councilors in each LLGs to inform their people and provide necessary information and support when the NID team are on site rolling out the program with support from District Administration and DDA office.

Donald says if the registration can be done quickly before the LLG Election then they can trial it out during the LLG election using NID cards.

He says establishing office for collection of Baseline Data System for whole North Fly will be the next task after this NID roll out project.

Higher Rubber Production in Western Province

BY KENNY ROMANUS

THE North Fly Rubber Limited is faced with logistics is
sues due to high rubber production in Western
Province.

North Fly Rubber Limited director Pius Kuri said that the current rubber pricing in North Fly district and the production activities slightly increased has seen some farmers missing out on selling their rubber as a result of logistics issues.

He said they cannot reach all the farmers on time hence they are calling on the Ok Tedi Mining Limited, Ok Tedi Development Foundation and the Fly River Provincial Government if they can step in and address
this with vehicles as rubber is the livelihood of the people in terms of cash and basic materials.

“Currently NFRL has only one vehicle that moves
around and transports rubber to the factory. If there were two or three vehicles then NFRL will be in full production, the farmers will be satisfied and the company will also make money,” he said.

NFRL chairman Warren Dutton also confirmed that at this stage, the company is unable to attend to the current logistics issues being faced or the concerns raised
by the farmers.

“From the funding given by the North Fly DDA under the leadership of James Donald, it is for the price enhancement while the funds given by the FRPG under the governorship of Taboi Awi Yotto is purposely for transport subsidy which will cater for the fuel costs for the farmers in Middle Fly, Delta Fly and some parts of
South Fly,” Mr Dutton said.

Meantime the current rubber pricing as of May 1 is K2 per kilo in North Fly and K1.40 in other three districts.

NFRL Vehicle Buying Rubber at Gregas Corner

Teachers College Takes in First Intakes

By KENNY ROMANUS

THE Balimo Teachers College in Middle Fly District of Western Province took in It’s first intakes early this year.

Kokoda Track Foundation(KTF) in partnership with PNGSDP established a FODE Center which commenced operations in 2019 and enrolled over 300 students within the area.

Mr.Charlie Buai, Education Advisor for Western Province in an interview told the media that the 40 students currently studying at Balimo Teachers College(BTC) were taken on merit. They were FODE students who who were attending FODE Centers within the province and priority was given to them.

Mr.Buia also encouraged grade 12 leavers and current FODE students to consider FODE as priority and to give a best shot out of it.

“We have a number of FODE Centers in Western Province, Through FODE, we had sent out a number of students to various institutions through out the country and now that we have colleges brought to our doorsteps, we want to see more local students getting it and coming out as trained and graduate teachers” Mr.Buia Said

Students with a GPA of 2.4 and above were accepted at the college to take up 3 years Diploma in Teaching.