By WASITA ROYAL
Flames consumed the Rabaul District Administration Building, reducing decades of government work to a smoldering rubble.
The headquarter now stands hollow and blackened from the tragic loss compounded by looters who stripped equipments from the Treasury office.
Within 48 hours, Rabaul District Administrator Mr Freddy Lemeki gathered his shaken public servants. “Our office got burned down but our knowledge, skills, expertise, and experiences are very much alive.”
While investigators from The National Fire Services and the Provincial Disaster Office picked through debris, Lemeki had already deployed sector officers to temporary quarters; the new District Court House, Education Resource Centre, and Archives Building.
Member for Rabaul Dr. Allan Marat convened an urgent special DDA Board meeting over the weekend with a short-term survival agenda and long-term rebirth.
From the ashes of Thursday’s tragedy emerged Friday’s resolve and Saturday’s vision. The DDA board resolved to rebuild, not elsewhere, but at the same Kurakakaul headquarters.
Rabaul District’s cheques to be printed at the Provincial Treasury while Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy continues.
“We may be out but not out,” Lemeki insisted.
“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;” said Dr Allan Marat, his words carrying the weight of history.
Having the old building gone; Rabaul prepares to build anew on sacred ground.