Source: New Ireland Provincial Government Media Release
Governor Sir Julius Chan and his team of technical officers, leader of Government Business Chief Demas Kavavu as well as Provincial Works Manager Solomon Pela and representatives of Road contractor PNG SJC have just returned from a successful two-day road assessment and Solar street lights launching in New Hanover, Mussau, Emirau and Tench.
The trip that began on Sunday 28th April kicked off at Ungat, New Hanover where Sir J inspected the Unity road which was launched in August last year. 25km of the road is complete with another 25km still to go. “I know the terrain is challenging and quite steep but we have made a commitment to the people, we must complete the task and live up to the conditions of the agreement,” said Sir J.
Also in New Hanover the team stopped over in Enelava which used to be an old Leprosy quarantine centre now home to the Enelava Vocational and technical school. Four Solar Street Lights were installed at the school. Sir J made a commitment to fix the infrastructure of the school, starting with the reconstruction of the water well and the dining hall of the school. He foresees the school leading training of the hospitality industry of New Ireland. He also made a commitment to invest in the area of music specifically classical music. “ I want to see you students play instruments like the violin, trombone and clarinet.”
The team departed by Government fast boat MV Autonomy North to Mussau in the Murat Local Level Government area. They arrived at Boliu wharf at 6pm after navigating through rough seas and were warmly received by Community and Youth Rep Linson Aaron, Murat LLG President Edwin Maingen and other community leaders. The next day Sir J inspected the Mussau trench Island road which still needs a fair bit of work done. He bluntly told the PNGSJ representatives that he was not satisfied with the progress so far and urged them to get the work moving.
Sir J addressed the students of Boliu High School and officially launched 4 solar streetlights at the school. The students and teachers expressed gratitude towards the Chan led government stating the lights have made a difference to the school especially to the boarding students who are now able to study late into the night.
After Boliu the team headed to Rongoe Primary School on Emirau Island. There the students gave Sir J a chiefly welcome carrying him into the school while laying palm leaves on the ground. He proudly commended them the students, parents and staff present that it seemed that the further they were the more they cared about the Government of the day, vice versa to his slogan of “ The further you are the more we care.” He launched two Solar street lights there and made a commitment to fix a classroom there at the value of K 50,000, 4 bicycles and 2 wheel barrows. He also promised top up the funding of a new truck for the area after the Murat President and ward member make their contributions.
The last leg of the two-day Journey was to the beautiful Island of Tench which was over an hour and a half out of Emirau. The island is inhabited by a large population of birds making it a nature lovers paradise. Again Sir J was given a Chiefly welcome by the Islands small population totaling about 70 men, women and children. 3 Solar street lights were installed in the area. Sir J made a commitment to repair the islands aid post and communication network. He has instructed his provincial economic division to make market access readily available for the Islanders who have a bountiful supply of fish.
Overall Governor Sir J was satisfied with the results of the two-day trip, describing it as cohesive and productive. He challenged his Directors and CEO’s to think of new and innovative ways to make the lives of people living on the Islands and remote locations better.
