A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed on Friday, 20th June 2025, between the Department of Community Development and Religion and the Kikori District Development Authority (KDDA) for the construction of a multi-purpose community development centre in Kikori District, Gulf Province.
The MoA signing took place at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby and was witnessed by Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs and Member for Kikori Open, Hon. Soroi Eoe, and Minister for Community Development and Religion, Hon. Jason Peter.
As part of its commitment, the Kikori DDA presented a K500,000 dummy cheque to the Department of Community Development and Religion, representing the first instalment of its K750,000 contribution towards the project.
The total estimated cost for the Kikori multi-purpose centre is K1.5 million, to be shared equally between the Department and KDDA.
Minister Eoe, who initiated the multi-purpose centre concept during his previous tenure as Minister for Community Development, Youth and Religion (2017–2022), expressed satisfaction that his district would now benefit from the initiative.
“Other districts have already benefitted from this program and I am pleased that my district will finally benefit from this program,” he said.
The facility will not only serve as a hub for community development, youth, and religious services, but will also house other state agencies, including office space for the justice sector to support the court circuit in Kikori.
A suitable land portion has already been identified at Kikori Station for the development.
A contractor has been identified by the Department, and construction is expected to commence immediately following the finalisation of procurement processes.