Daru Town Rehabilitation Project approved by Western PEC

By Meriba Tulo – EMTV News, Port Moresby

An ambitious program to improve government facilities on Daru Island in Western province has been approved.

Speaking to EMTV News recently, Daru Town Mayor Samuel Winggu said the rehabilitation project is one that seeks to bring Daru back to its glory days as the capital of Western Province.

Over the years, continuous neglect for Daru has allowed for infrastructure on this island to fall apart.

A sad scenario for the capital of a province that has supported Papua New Guinea’s economy  through the Ok Tedi Mine, as well as through gas exploration.

However, there are plans to improve the situation on Daru Island, beginning with infrastructure for key government sectors – Health, education, and law & order.

According to Mr Winggu, plans for rehabilitation of Daru have captured in a Town Rehabilitation Project – a plan that was recently passed by the Western Provincial Executive Council.

This plan, set to cost the province around K250 million over five years.

For an island that serves a population of around 20,000 people, there are hopes that this can be the catalyst for more positive development in the years ahead.