by Stanley Ove Jr – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Delivering goods and services to remote Telefomin district remains one of the greatest challenges to local MP Solan Mirisim.
Mr Mirisim, who was delivering relief supplies to areas affected by the current drought in his district, said a fifth of the district’s budget has been spent on transportation.
However, he was given a timely assistance from the PNGDF Air Transport wing last month to deliver much needed relief supplies to people affected by the current dry spell.
While some districts are better off and enjoy fast delivery of goods and services, it has not been easy for Telefomin District, in the West Sepik Province. The district has no roads linking it to other parts of West Sepik, making it one of the country’s most isolated areas.
The only way into Telefomin is by air, and for the last three years, the district has been chartering aeroplanes and choppers to fly in goods and services.
Faced with transportation issues, the MP for Telefomin went out of his way to seek help from the PNG Defense Force, to airlift food supplies into drought affected areas in Telefomin.
Th people of Telefomin, Yapsi, Oksapmin and Edwaki were given relief supplies last week, worth over half a million kina. The funds were from the National Disaster office, including the Prime Minister’s Department.
Meanwhile, Mr Mirisim called on the Sandaun Provincial Government to assist the people of Telefomin who are affected by the current dry spell.
