Morobe Governor Rainbo Paita has called on the people of Morobe to come together this Christmas as the province prepares to face ongoing challenges in health, education and basic services.
Speaking in his Christmas message, Governor Paita said Papua New Guinea’s 50th year of Independence should be a time not only for celebration, but also for honest reflection and action.
“After 50 years of independence, we still face many challenges, especially in education, health and road infrastructure,” Governor Paita said. “These are not unique to Morobe, but we must rise up and deal with them together.”
He urged newly sworn-in Local-Level Government (LLG) Presidents and Councilors to work closely with the provincial government, saying unity and cooperation are key to improving service delivery across the province.
While acknowledging that not all issues can be resolved within his 14-month term, Governor Paita said the provincial government is focused on delivering priority projects and pushing through important reforms.
Looking ahead to 2026, he said rural areas will remain a key focus through programs in rural education and rural health centres. In urban areas, the government will prioritize job creation by working with the private sector.
Alongside his Christmas message, the Governor also outlined plans to address Morobe’s ongoing power problems through talks with PNG Power early in the New Year.
He said discussions will focus on renewable energy options for Lae City, including a large solar project and hydro developments aimed at stabilizing electricity supply.
One of the key projects is the Bapa hydropower project in Buang, Bulolo District. Once completed, the project is expected to generate between nine and 12 megawatts of power, enough to support local communities and contribute to the wider grid.
Governor Paita said once technical assessments and approvals are completed, construction can proceed. He stressed that improving power reliability is critical, as frequent blackouts continue to affect households, hospitals and businesses.
He closed by wishing the people of Morobe a peaceful Christmas and encouraging them to enter the New Year with unity, resilience and confidence in the province’s future.
