Morobe Provincial News

05/12/2025

Besides spending K400,000 yearly for medical drugs for our four LLGs to meet the demands in drug shortages nationwide, we are also looking forward for a partnership between BDDA and St John Ambulance to operate in Bulolo District in the near future.

It was a good brief meeting with the new CEO of the National St John Ambulance of PNG, Mr Kai Tane.



Hon Sam Basil Jnr
Vice Minister Mining
Bulolo MP

04/12/2025

https://www.postcourier.com.pg/governor-paita-outlines-support-plan-for-brown-lutheran-hospital/

Lutheran Hospital in Finschhafen, despite the mission-run facility being managed independently.

04/12/2025

CABINET has approved structural reforms for Angau Hospital and the Morobe health authority (PHA), Health Minister Elias Kapavore says.

Kapavore was responding to a request by Morobe Governor Rainbo Paita for an immediate separation of Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital from the PHA and its elevation to a level 6 standalone specialist hospital.

03/12/2025

Power, Wafi-Golpu prioritised- Governor Paita

The National – Thursday, December 4, 2025

Morobe Governor Rainbo Paita admits the power supply issue and Wafi-Golpu are impediments to business growth and bad for the Morobe economy, and he aims to “fix the problem.”

Paita’s plan is to have grid upgrades for Lae.

He said the provincial government will support PNG Power Limited (PPL) to upgrade the outdated Lae grid, which is currently overstretched and cannot sustain industrial demand.

A 100-megawatt solar plant will be situated at the Wawin Integrated Special Economic Zone, which will stabilise supply into Nadzab, Lae and the Markham Valley.

The Burum, Kuat and Mongi hydropower stations are awaiting a purchasing agreement with PPL and pending independent assessment from KPMG on tariff rates.

This would supply 20 megawatts of power also to Lae, Paita said.

> “We are progressing the full hydro scheme to deliver long-term stability,” he said.

> “We are also assessing the viability of wind turbine farms on the Sialum coastline.

> “We are working with two major Chinese state-owned companies – Shenzhen Energy and China State Construction – on a waste-to-energy power plant outside of Lae. The team is already on the ground finalising the feasibility study.

> “Power is the backbone of economic growth. Under my leadership, Morobe will not be a bystander in the energy sector. We will be stakeholders, investors, and co-owners.

> “Our long-term goal is to make Morobe a green energy province.

> “The biggest challenge is power reliability and I want to assure the business community that I will work closely with PNG Power Limited and will provide full provincial government support to address the major power issues in Lae.”

Paita also added that the prolonged delay in progressing the Wafi-Golpu mine to production was a concern and that he would issue a public announcement to finalise the project.

Paita said as former mining minister, he had confirmed:

The extension for the Hidden Valley Mining Project by Harmony Gold was approved

The Community Development Agreement was approved

He would push for the Wafi-Golpu Mining Project Agreement to be concluded so Morobe and PNG can benefit from the project

02/12/2025

GOVERNOR PAITA CALLS FOR URGENT ELEVATION OF ANGAU TO LEVEL 6 STANDALONE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL

PRESS RELEASE

2 December 2025

Office of the Morobe Governor: LAE, MOROBE PROVINCE

Morobe Governor Hon. Rainbo Paita, MP, has formally written to the Minister for Health & HIV/AIDS, Hon. Elias Kapavore, MP, calling for the immediate structural separation of ANGAU Memorial Provincial Hospital from the Morobe Provincial Health Authority (MoPHA) and its elevation to a Level 6 Standalone Specialist Hospital.

Governor Paita raised grave concerns about the severe decline in essential medical services at ANGAU, noting that the situation has escalated into a systemic crisis that threatens patient care across the Momase Region.

He stated that internal clinical and administrative reviews confirmed widespread breakdowns in management oversight, chronic shortages of life-saving drugs, failure of critical infrastructure, and the collapse of key operational systems such as sterilization, ICU support, and maintenance of life-support equipment.

“ANGAU’s decline is no longer a routine operational issue — it is a structural failure that demands an immediate structural solution,” Governor Paita said.

Key Issues Raised by Governor Paita:

1. Persistent stockouts of essential medicines and consumables

2. Non-functional sterilization facilities for months

3. Critically reduced ICU capability

4. Failure to release budgeted funds for specialist maintenance

5. Systemic administrative weaknesses and management bottlenecks

6. Chronic underfunding of MoPHA’s dual provincial and Level 5 referral hospital mandate

Governor Paita’s Proposed Solution

Governor Paita formally requested the National Government to:

1. Elevate ANGAU to a Level 6 Standalone Specialist Hospital, independent of MoPHA

2. Establish a separate CEO and operational structure consistent with the Port Moresby General Hospital model

3. Create a ring-fenced budget dedicated to specialist consumables, maintenance contracts, and manpower

4. Retain MoPHA Board oversight during the transition period to safeguard referral pathways

He also called for the immediate appointment of a non-clinical Chief Operating Officer (COO) to stabilize procurement, logistics, and asset management while transition planning is advanced as part of the 2026 national budget.

Strengthening the Provincial Health System

Governor Paita reaffirmed the Morobe Provincial Government’s commitment to support the restructured health system through GST remittances, PSIP/DSIP funding, and sustained investment in district hospitals and health centres across all 10 districts.

He further highlighted several major provincial health initiatives, including:

1. Partnership with the ADB to build Level 4 District Hospitals in all districts

2. Development of a new Level 5 Provincial Hospital for Morobe

3. Joint development of a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant for generic medicines

4. Attraction of private hospital operators under a medical tourism model

5. Implementation of critical reforms to MoPHA based on parliamentary concerns and Health Committee findings

Support for Private Hospital Investment in Lae

Governor Paita emphasized that the Morobe Provincial Government is already engaging with several private hospital operators to expand specialist services in Lae.

“We are prepared to allocate land to credible private hospital investors under a partnership agreement to encourage long-term investment in private healthcare,” Governor Paita stated.

He said this strategy will help create a competitive, high-quality healthcare environment in Lae that complements ANGAU’s role as the region’s specialist referral hub and provides more options for the people of Morobe.

Call for National Government Support

“Our people deserve a stable, fully functional specialist hospital. The time for temporary fixes has passed. We need structural reform supported by strong national commitment to protect lives and restore confidence in our health system,” Governor Paita said.

He concluded by urging the National Government to treat the matter with urgent priority and convene discussions to implement the transition plan for ANGAU’s elevation.

Authorized by:
HON. RAINBO PAITA, MP
Governor for Morobe Province
Member for Finschhafen

02/12/2025

𝗞𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗸 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 in Wau–Waria District this week received 🚰 new water tanks, a building 📚 and new school desks through support from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Delivered under the Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea’s sub-national 💧 WASH-in-Schools program in partnership with the Morobe Provincial Administration, these upgrades will ensure reliable access to clean water and provide a more accessible learning environment for students.

Another example of the Australian Government’s ongoing support to the people of Morobe and Papua New Guinea 🇦🇺🇵🇬
Australian Consulate-General, Lae

02/12/2025

Road condition lo Zem way to Finschafen bagarap. Continues rain . Wanla kar blo Yumi wara Buso tanim lo Aste. Please take precautions.

Source: Darius Mandan, Finschhafen District WhatsApp Forum

02/12/2025

𝗞𝟭𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗜𝗟 𝗘𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗡𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦

𝑉𝑖𝑎 𝐿𝑎𝑒 𝐶𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝐴𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑡 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠𝐴𝑝𝑝 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝

Information to you all.

Anyone drinking in public place, in a moving motor vehicles and found drunk in a pulic place or noise pollution will be charged and released on K1000.00 police bail.

This will commence as of tomorrow onwards.

~𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗞𝘂𝗻𝘆𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗻
Lae Metropolitan Chief Superintendent
01.12.25

28/11/2025

*ELCPNG announces MV Karkar!* 🚢✨
A new cargo–passenger vessel is being built to strengthen Lutheran Shipping Services (LSS) and support our coastal and island communities. General Secretary Bernard Kaisom says the Church remains committed to safe, reliable transport for rural areas.
MV Karkar - named in honour of Karkar Island’s rich Lutheran mission history. is expected in PNG waters in early 2026.

👉 Read the full story:

MV Karkar, Lutheran Shipping’s New Vessel Leave a Comment / News and Updates / By Warime Guti ELCPNG to strengthen Maritime Ministry with New Vessel, MV Karkar Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) is expanding its long-established maritime ministry with the construction of a ne...

28/11/2025

: The governor for Morobe, Rainbo Paita, raised a question in parliament, challenging the government on the progress of the promised partnership with provincial and local leaders to expand the Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport.

Mr Paita pointed out that while the airport was a legacy project for the Marape-Rosso Government, it is currently underutilised, handling only domestic flights.

Read the full article here: ( https://www.postcourier.com.pg/paita-questions-government-on-progress-of-partnership-to-expand-nadzab-tomodachi-international-airport/ )

The governor for Morobe, Rainbo Paita, raised a question in parliament, challenging the government on the progress of the promised partnership with provincial and local leaders to expand the Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport.

28/11/2025

The Bulolo District Development Authority (BDDA) has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with five agriculture line agencies to boost development in the district today at the Parliament State Function room.

These agencies include:

1. Fresh Produce Development Authority: To enhance fresh produce development and marketing in Bulolo District and nearby markets including preparing farmera to supply the large scale Wafi Golpu gold project.

2. Kokonas Industry Koperesen: To promote coconut industry development and support local farmers. Current Bulolo has around 34,000 coconut trees.

3. Livestock Development Authority: To improve livestock production and enhance food security. Buang LLG has taken the lead in livestock husbandary and honey products.

4. Cocoa Board PNG: To develop and promote the cocoa industry in the district. Boosting existing cocoa co-operative and encourage productions.

5. Small Medium Enterprises Cooperation (SMEC): To support small and medium-sized enterprises in the district for Women, Youth and PLWDs.

This partnership aims to improve the livelihoods of people in Bulolo District through sustainable agriculture and economic development. The district is known for its rich natural resources, including agriculture and mining, and has potential for growth. The signing ceremony marked a significant step towards boosting the district's agricultural sector and local business activities. Thank you Hon. Sam Basil Junior, MP and Bulolo District Development Authority for the milestone event.

Moving forward.




Via Peter Goropo

28/11/2025

SME boost for Bulolo District

Friday November 28th, 2025: SME Corporation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bulolo District Development Authority. The partnership is for the delivering of Entrepreneurship Training and MSME Development Services in Bulolo District. SME Corporation was among four other government agencies to sign its MoU. The Director SME Growth and Development Division of SME Corporation Mr. Nathan Timo represented the organization at the signing.