Joe GURINA

Kairuku MP Peter Isoaimo has encouraged his people to grow more in agriculture and livestock because of the available land and rich soil in the district. He noted that the district can grow cash crops like rice, coffee, cocoa, copra, and oil palm, and raise livestock to supply both local and international markets. Isoaimo, the first MP for the new district in the Central Province addressed his people as the Department of Commerce and Industry handed out 32 Cooperative Society Certificates to farmers in Kuni. He said these certificates would help locals start small businesses, like poultry, inland fishing, piggery, and other farming projects. “Your livelihood in the community will start improving, and your living standard would develop through this initiative,” he said. Isoaimo has pledged over K165, 000 to support the 32 societies, giving each group K5, 000 in start-up capital to launch their chosen projects. During the launch, he said, “Each society group will receive K5, 000 as a startup capital to start develop your projects.” The Cooperative Societies of PNG’s Southern Region presented certificates to society members at the event. He explained that the funds would come from the district’s economic sector budget and be distributed to farmers through their society accounts. Isoaimo said locals would also gain by participating in the Abeda Oil Palm project in the Kuni area. Kuni LLG President, Jimmy Aniawa, shared that forming these societies took much time and effort. “The certificates that you receive today are not ordinary papers, but it must be utilised to get financial support from the district and provincial government. Aniawa urged locals and society members to form an umbrella company and work together on community projects, stating, “You all can affiliate to it and have it as your existing company to generate income and benefit all members."

Kairuku MP Peter Isoaimo has provided K50,000 to support a two-week police operation aimed at curbing recent lawlessness in the electorate. The operation, code-named ‘Klinim Kairuku’ and led by Central Police Operations Commander Sergeant Willie Hoiba, has resulted in over 20 arrests, bringing a more peaceful atmosphere to the area. Hoiba said the team has done a successful job clamping down on lawlessness. He said police presence has encouraged local youths to change their behaviour. Police engaged with village leaders and chiefs to strengthen their efforts, advising youths to avoid illegal activities and become positive members of their communities. With visible results from the operation, Sergeant Hoiba is now seeking approval from MP Isoaimo to extend the initiative for an additional two weeks to continue enhancing community safety.

A pioneer police barracks in the country, which has been run down for years, is getting a much-needed face-lift of its ailing infrastructures. The Sogeri Police Barracks in Central Province was built in the 1980's, and its barracks housing infrastructures have weathered through time without much, or any maintenance for years. A relieved Sogeri Police Station Commander, Max Maso, has thanked the Police Department in coming to the barrack's rescue to build the new infrastructures. Maso says the barracks will have three duplex standalone units, which means old police houses are being pulled down to pave the way for this new development. The first duplex is already erected. He believes the new housing infrastructures will empower and motivate officers to work better as they carry out their policing duties in enforcing law and order in the area. Maso also plans to involve local youths in a beautification program to improve the police station and surrounding areas.

The Kairuku District Development Authority (KDDA) in the Central Province is also prioritising more investment in the education sector in this Central Province district, focusing on improving school infrastructures. This is according to local MP and KDDA chairman, Peter Isoaimo, who committed K100, 000 towards improving school infrastructure at the Oreke Habiara Primary School this week. The school is one of the few least developed schools in terms of infrastructure in the last decade or so, according to the head teacher, Jimmy Francis, who was grateful for the funding, and promised it would be used accordingly for its intendent purpose. The school needs new classrooms, an administration block, and a library, and Francis says, the school board will be working together to set up the required infrastructures before the 2025 school academic year commences. Meantime, when making the commitment, MP Isoaimo also urged Kairuku LLG Ward Members (councillors), the School Board of Management, and community leaders in Ward 17 to put aside political differences and work together. He urged them to form a collaborative partnership to work for the benefit of their school aged children, and the younger generation in the LLG and district, who will one day be future leaders

Central Province Governor Rufina Peter has committed K100, 000 towards an investment conference organized by the newly established Central Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), which is to be hosted in November. Governor Peter also encouraged business leaders and entrepreneurs to participate, highlighting the conference as a platform for new partnerships and innovations. CCCI President Linda Paru, when thanking the Governor for this support, explained that the event aims to unlock wealth opportunities, attract investment, and promote economic growth in the province. Discussions will focus on land, commodities, infrastructure, health, and education. The two-day event, set for November 27-28 at the Stanley Hotel, will showcase local businesses and attract international investors. Paru also extended her invitation to the five open MPs in the province to attend and identify what SMEs are out there to accelerate development opportunities. She says it is through such platforms that new partnerships are forged and promote innovations and unlock opportunities for the province.

Central Province is poised to expand business and economic activities with the creation of the Central Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), according to Governor Rufina Peter. She says the new chamber will play a transformative role in the future of the province and encouraged all businesses in the province to join the new chamber and contribute to the development of the province. She says the CCCI will play a crucial role in changing and improving the landscape of Goods and Services Tax collections, as it will be the first point of call for new investors both foreign and domestic. She adds the CCCI will build a better and stronger public and private partnership. She says major business development projects such as the Kodo lime stone project, Papua LNG and others in the renewable and non- renewable sector will now work in partnership with the ICCC to drive development agendas of the province. She says over the years, the province had missed out business opportunities because it did not have an establishment of such as the CCCI. Under the leadership of Governor Peter, the Central Provincial Government allocated K200, 000 last year to set up the CCCI to drive the ambition of the province.