The Rabaul District Administration in the East New Britain province will continue to roll out its current projects and programs regardless of the recent fire tragedy that destroyed its main Administration Building on Thursday 26th of February 2026.

In a recent meeting with the district public servants and its support staff, the District Administrator Mr. Freddy Lemeki, encouraged officers to still turn up to work and continue with respective sectoral programs or projects and other routine programs.

“Rabaul District, we may be out but not out. Our office got burned down but our knowledge, skills, expertise, and experiences are very much alive,” Lemeki said.

He said that while the old office will be under investigation by the National Fire Services and assisted by Provincial Disaster Office, officers will be using other buildings at the district headquarters for work.

“Our sector officers will be temporarily occupying the new District Court House and Education Resource Centre while our Treasury team who also had their office partially burned will be using our new Archives Building.”

He said that meetings will be conducted as scheduled and we will still progress with awarded projects and continue programs such as the District Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy.

“Printing of cheques will not be affected as advised by our District Finance Manager; however, they will need the assistance of Provincial Treasury for the first two weeks to get us off the ground as some of their vital machines such as the server, cables and computers were looted by opportunists.”

Meanwhile, the Member for Rabaul and Chairman of the Rabaul District Development Authority (DDA) Board Dr. Allan Marat, sympathized with the district administration for the tragic loss of government properties; however, assured officers to be positive.

“What happened has happened and we cannot change it or continue reacting to the situation but work together and move forward in rebuilding the district headquarters.”

Marat made these remarks during an urgent special DDA Board meeting conducted last Saturday which the main discussion was on the short- and long-term strategies of rebuilding the district administration and even considering safety measures.

“Rabaul District we are resilient people and we will rise from the ashes. We did it during the 1994 twin volcanic eruption and will do it again.”

The DDA Board resolved for the new district administration building to be built again at the district headquarters at Kurakakaul considering scientist predictions on future eruptions and ample land for development.