Samuel RAITANO

Three council wards in the Kagua Local Level Government (LLG) of Kagua-Erave District, Southern Highlands Province, took a historic step on Saturday by voluntarily surrendering illegal firearms to local police.The participating wards—Mabuanda 1, Mabuanda 2, and Tumbalere—which are primarily comprised of the Kulumbu tribe, took the initiative to set a peaceful example for the rest of the district by handing over six high-powered firearms.The disarmament initiative was organized under the leadership of Kita Yambi, Principal of Ialibu Secondary School (representing the Mabuanda wards), and Michael Paita, the Ward Councillor for Tumbalere.Community leaders emphasized that their people are demanding schools, healthcare, and vital government services rather than the destruction brought by gun violence.This community-led surrender aligns directly with the extension of the National Guns Amnesty period, which is set to expire at the end of this month.Following the successful handover, leaders are urging the rest of the Kagua-Erave District—particularly those residing in volatile, tribal-war-torn areas—to follow the Kulumbu tribe’s example. Individuals who still hold illegal weapons are highly encouraged to safely hand them in at the Kagua Police Station before the amnesty deadline closes.

Five private tertiary institutions operating in the Western Highlands Province have received a major boost, with the Western Highlands Provincial Government (WHPG) delivering a timely financial package of K50,000 each, totaling K250,000.00 .The funding recipients include:Kumul Training InstitutePNG Education CollegeMount Hagen School of NursingKeluwa Teachers CollegeMapex Training InstituteWestern Highlands Governor Wai Rapa presented the bank deposit receipts directly to senior representatives of the five institutions during a formal gathering at Sir Mara Haus.Governor Rapa explained that the financial support acknowledges the long-standing, registered service these institutions provide to Grade 10 and Grade 12 school leavers. He praised their vital contribution to expanding higher education access within the province.In response, institutional representatives expressed deep gratitude to the WHPG for providing official recognition and funding for the first time. They noted that despite implementing critical state education policies, private colleges typically do not receive government subsidies.The administrators revealed that the K50,000 grants will heavily assist with their operational wind-down costs and upcoming graduation programs for the current academic year.

Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa has issued a strong directive to the PNG Teaching Services Commission (TSC), calling for the immediate termination and discipline of teachers with poor administrative or behavioral records.Governor Rapa made the call following a recent student protest in Mount Hagen City by Kui Wamp Nga Secondary School students. The demonstration, directed at the school's principal, escalated into a serious commotion that tragically resulted in two deaths.Governor Rapa emphasized that the TSC must act decisively on recommendations from the Provincial Education Board (PEB) to penalize or remove compromised staff.He expressed deep concern that educators with documented bad records are reportedly being protected by the TSC, allowing them to remain in the provincial school system. This systemic failure, Rapa noted, directly fuels the frustrations of parents and students, occasionally triggering public unrest.

Local contractor Kaia Works Limited has delivered a comprehensive progress update to the Dei District Development Authority (DDA) and local media, confirming that 80% of the contracted road networks and bridges in the district are now complete.Godfrey Umba, the owner and Managing Director of Kaia Works, personally led a project site tour for Dei DDA Chief Executive Officer Raphael Koldop and members of the DDA board, which included the three local-level government (LLG) presidents. Umba stated that the joint inspection allowed all stakeholders to witness the infrastructure progress firsthand.Project Scope and Rapid TimelineAccording to Patrick Namba, the Superintendent of Dei Projects and Senior Roads Engineer for the Department of Works and Highways, the overall infrastructure package is nearing its final stages.The scope of works includes:Upgrading and sealing the Balg Kuk road, Ambra Muglamp road, and Mogla Kerakori road.Constructing the new Namaliu and Moga bridges.Engineers on-site revealed that the final road sealing phase is on track to be fully completed within the next three weeks.In response to the inspection, CEO Koldop and the DDA board members praised Kaia Works for its impressive performance and for hitting near-completion targets well ahead of the official deadline.Koldop expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Dei District and assured the contractor that the DDA board would meet to finalize outstanding funding arrangements, ensuring Kaia Works is fully paid for the delivered infrastructure.

Fresh produce farmers in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands province, have warned that current market harvests may be their last.William Pupti, a vegetable farmer from Kelam village in Hagen Rural Local Level Government (LLG), outside Mt Hagen City, stated that they were unable to plant new crops due to ground that had dried up with no water to tend new crops.Mt Hagen City market is set to run low on vegetables and fresh produce in the coming days, affecting supply chains to other parts of the country including Lae, Madang, and Port Moresby.This, on the other hand, will also affect roadside vendors who depend on black market sales as well as commercial sectors such as hotels, restaurants, public institutions, and others who depend on fresh produce from the highlands region.Mr. Pupti expressed concerns that he solely depends on his farm to earn income for his family and built his livelihood and home entirely on commercial farming.Meanwhile, a community representative of the Jika Komapi community at Kelam, Andrew Kunjil, has called upon all relevant authorities especially Mt Hagen Open District Development Authority (DDA), Western Highlands Provincial Government, and National Disaster Office to assist with the restoration of the village’s water supply.He noted that children currently lack clean water to wash before attending school and warned that groundwater supplies will dry up entirely within weeks.Moreover, the local water supply that serves approximately 800 residents, has also dried up as they currently rely on remaining groundwater sources, which are rapidly depleting and visibly contaminated, yet they have no alternative options.Community leaders report that no assessment teams from the Provincial Disaster Office or related agencies have visited the affected areas to evaluate the El Niño impact.Prompt institutional relief focused on restoring village water supplies remains urgently needed to prevent further economic damage and public health hazards.

Rivers are running dry and water is being contaminated with algae in many parts of Southern Highlands Province, due to El Nino. Water scarcity is now becoming a real problem for most villages and government stations as water tanks, creeks and groundwater sources run dry. Meanwhile, towns like Mendi, Walum,Pangia, Ialibu and Kagua along with other stations in the province do not have water supply systems and the prolonged dry season is set to adversely affect public servants, public institutions and the ordinary citizens as well. Southern Highlands Provincial Administrator David Kelma is understood to have instructed all District Administrations to do assessment and submit reports immediately to be delivered to the National Disaster Centre and relevant authorities. In Sugu Valley of Kagua Erave District, Sugu River that used to run fresh has also been reduced in size and now contaminated with algae, according to sources on ground. And in Ialibu Pangia District, renowned Polu River that flows from Mt Ialibu has been reduced to a creek, according to local, Wendeka Aipu from Maia village, East Pangia.Other big rivers in the province have also reduced in size to levels people say they have never seen in past dry seasons. Food gardens are also getting dry, indicating a looming threat of hunger in many areas prone to frost.

Dei District in the Western Highlands Provinces has around 1276 tertiary students who are currently attending tertiary institutions in the country this year, and this number is embarrassing, says local MP Desmond Kipa.Kipa who was speaking to his 51 ward councillors recently in Mt Hagen City during a cheque presentation to contractors engaged in district development programs as well as its three Local Level Government, highlighted that human resource is vital and he wants more students from his district to attend tertiary institutions in the country.“Only 1276 tertiary students from Dei district is an embarrassment; all children must be encouraged to go to school and continue through to tertiary institutions”, said Kipa.“I want to see more young people attend tertiary institution”.Kipa added that when more young people are educated, then the district will have more educated elites, better services, development, projects including cash flow and positive changes in their communities.He further added that despite financial needs to cater for many other areas, Dei DDA had allocated K1, 000 each as subsidy for tertiary students from the district, and with additional K2, 000 subsidy component from Western Highlands Provincial Government, each student from Dei is relieved with K3, 000 school fee assistance.He encourages more grade 12 students to take education seriously and do well in their examinations this year so that more students make it to tertiary institutions.Kipa says Dei DDA under his leadership would continue to subsidize tertiary students’ fees.

A community in Ward Seven of the Hagen Urban Local Level Government (LLG) in Western Highlands Province, has raised concerns over the theft of water meters by vandals.The Apo community at Warakum Junction in Mt Hagen City were surprised on Tuesday morning to find water running freely after vandals cut a pipe and removed two water meters during the previous night.Community spokesperson Nepson Mohaso called on Water PNG and the police to take note of the trend, noting that thieves had been targeting water meters in and around the Warakum area.“In the past, water meters were typically installed near individual houses.”However, following a recent rollout of new water meters to consumers by Water PNG, most meters were placed together at single locations, often near roadsides.The community expressed an urgent need for Water PNG to change this approach and install the meters closer to consumers' houses for better security.At the time of the report, it remained unknown whether the criminals intended to resell the stolen meters.

Two major tribes in Muglamp Local Level Government (LLG) of Dei District in the Western Highlands province, have reconciled and established peace through a traditional compensation ceremony held on Saturday.The peace program between Kombolga tribe and Minimbi tribe took place at Ripi village in Muglamp LLG, following a conflict that erupted earlier this year after the death of a Minimbi man.This recent ceremony follows a recently signed ceasefire agreement between the two factions, signaling a mutual desire to end hostilities.This significant event was witnessed by Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa, Member for Dei Desmond Paul Kipa, former Dei MP Wesley Nukundi, and Mt Hagen Police Station Commander Steven Philipo.Also, in attendance were members of the local peace and good order committee, prominent community leaders, and residents from surrounding areas in Dei and neighboring districts.During the ceremony, the Kombolga tribe presented K150, 000 cash, 90 pigs and 5 cows to the relatives of late Noki Kambi of Minimbi tribe who was killed in Mt Hagen City back in February.Leaders of the Kombolga Tribe offered a formal apology for the offense committed against the Minimbi tribe, openly asking for forgiveness from both God and the grieving family members.Meanwhile, leaders present for the occasion strongly urged local leaders, youths, and members of both tribes to refrain from words, actions, habits, and behavior that would reignite problems in the community.The compensation ceremony concluded peacefully with immediate family members of the deceased and those responsible for the conflict reconciling openly with hugs and tears.The peace ceremony is significant for Muglamp LLG, Dei District, and Western Highlands province as a whole as it puts to rest a conflict between Kombolga tribe that makes up seven council wards and Minimbi tribe that has nine council wards.

The Kagua Police Station in the Kagua-Erave District of Southern Highlands Province, is undergoing its first major renovation in years, thanks to crucial funding support from the provincial government. The refurbishment of the run-down facility is currently underway, with local youths from the surrounding Kagua station area carrying out the manual labor. The workers have been actively engaged by Quick Engineering & Construction, a local contractor based out of Rogoma Wards 1 and 2. Owen Robola, Managing Director of Quick Engineering & Construction, confirmed that the provincial government allocated K200, 000 for the project. This funding is part of an ongoing provincial initiative aimed at bolstering law and order enforcement within the district. The scope of the project covers multiple areas of the facility. Laborers are currently repairing and painting the perimeter of fencing, while vital building maintenance, plumbing upgrades, and other structural repairs are proceeding steadily and will continue over the coming days. This intervention by the provincial government is seen as highly timely by local residents. The Kagua station area was recently devastated by a tribal conflict, which left the district headquarters in complete disarray. Compounding the area's leadership challenges, the local Member of Parliament for Kagua-Erave, Maina Pano, was also sidelined months ago by the Court of Disputed Returns. Ken Kewa, a youth representative from Kunu village in Rogoma Ward 2, expressed deep gratitude to the provincial government for providing the assistance needed to restore the infrastructure of law and order. Kewa noted that while previous recipients of public funds often failed to deliver tangible results, Quick Engineering & Construction wasted no time in mobilizing its workforce and engaging local youth. He further assured the public that youths from all across the Kagua station area are participating in the renovation efforts, demonstrating their collective commitment to helping local police restore peace and normalcy to the district headquarters.

In a decisive move to restore public order, police in Mt Hagen City launched “Operation High Speed” on Wednesday, April 29th, 2026.The operation specifically targets petty criminals, beginning with a major sweep of the city’s main market. Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Superintendent John Sagom, explained that the mission is designed to make sure that they get Mt Hagen City back from thugs and petty criminals. The crackdown began around 1:00 PM when Mt Hagen police were joined by units from the Mul Baiyer, Dei, and Tambul-Nebilyer districts. Together, they stormed the city market, which has long been identified as a hotspot for bag snatching, armed robberies, and drug trafficking. PPC Sagom noted that while the market is a vital economic hub for both the region and the country, it has suffered from prolonged neglect. This lack of oversight allowed individuals to enter the premises carrying offensive weapons and selling illegal drugs or prohibited retail goods. During the initial sweep, officers conducted extensive searches and arrested approximately ten suspects found in possession of weapons and narcotics. These individuals are currently in custody while investigations continue to determine the appropriate charges. The primary goal of the operation is to provide security for the local subsistence farmers, mothers, and vendors who rely on the market for their livelihoods. PPC Sagom emphasized that these citizens deserve to sell their fresh produce without the constant threat of violence or harassment. “That is the whole rationale behind why we want to take Mt Hagen market back because of lawlessness, bag snatching, armed robbery and all these,” Sagom stated. “So, I wish to thank all the policemen and women who have come for this operation, and we will continue to do that right through to the end of the week.”

The Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander (PPC) has issued a stern notice to the management of the Mt. Hagen City Main Market, to make improvements to the facilities there.PPC Chief Superintendent John Sagom stated that the management was previously instructed to repair the market’s five gates and ensure they are secured after-hours. However, he noted that the gates have remained unlocked after 6:00 PM, creating an environment where criminals can congregate and commit offenses during the late afternoon and evening. In addition to security concerns, the market management has been ordered to address critical infrastructure failures, including the lighting system, sewerage, and public toilets, to ensure vendors have access to sanitary facilities. Expressing his stance on the matter, PPC Sagom strongly urged the management to ensure that everything he has pointed out must be fixed during a certain period of time. “I gave them one week to fix all the market. Restore the gates back, restore the lighting system, sewerage, toilet, everything.” “If not, we will file appropriate charges and then we will press the charges on the management of the market.”