CONSTRUCTION work on the country’s first district hospital in the Pomio district of East New Britain is progressing well.
According to local MP, Elias Kapavore the impact project valued at K40 million is being funded and supervised by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with support from the Pomio District Development Authority.
The Pomio District Hospital, a level 4 district hospital and 36 staff houses was approved by the National Department of Health advisory committee on infrastructures in February, 2019.
Tender for the clinical and service buildings namely dental, pharmacy, physiotherapy and biomedical workshop, family support centre, generator block and outpatient ablution block is currently being advertised.
Materials for the construction of the 36 staff houses are expected to be shipped to Palmalmal this month.
Tender for the first stage including ground works and drainage was advertised in late 2019 with the contract awarded to Pacific Development Contractors by the ADB Board.
Mr Kapavore has commended the support shown by communities in and around Palmalmal town to the contractor in the past months and for this relationship to be maintained till the completion of the project.
In other developments, Pomio district this week launched its VSAT rollout programme at Riet Primary School in Sinivit LLG. This system is expected to improve communication at the sites and allow internet access.
Meantime Pomio district and its five LLGs have been commended for implementing 85 percent of its 2016-2020 five-year development plan.
Mr Kapavore said Pomio accounted for three quarters of ENB’s total land mass and together with annual funding from the government, the plan was vital to properly guide development in the vast district.
Currently under review is the 2021-2025 integrated development plan that will be rolled out under the vision of economic empowerment that promote sustainability. The final draft of the plan is expected to be completed by July.