K20.5m to rehabilitate 900 hectares of Waghi Mek Plantations

The Jiwaka Provincial Government under the Leadership of Governor Simon Kaiwi in Partnership with the National Government, and the Coffee Industry under the Ministry of Coffee Minister William Bando has presented a total of K20. 5 million to rehabilitate a total of 900 hectares of coffee blocks in Jiwaka.      

This presentation was made yesterday at Banz in Jiwaka during the official launching to revive the Waghi Mek Plantation coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the PNG Cocoa Board and Jiwaka Provincial Government.

The coming back about the economic hub of the province have come a long way and we want the citizens of Jiwaka to show support rather than calling it a “cargo-cult” on social media discriminating leaders.

Simon Kaiwi, The governor for Jiwaka, saying this while presenting a K20 million dummy cheque to the Waghi Mek Board Chairman Gabriel Tai and Chief Executive Officer Mark Munnull yesterday in Banz. 

The event was officiated by Coffee Minister and Member for Koroba Kopaiko William Bando, Governor for Jiwaka Simon Kaiwi, Cocoa Board of PNG CEO Jesse Angen, Coffee Industry Corporation CEO Charles Bambui amongst other important dignitaries from the PNG Cocoa board and Coffee Industry.

The Waghi Mek Plantation Limited was established by councillors in 1976 but collapse in early 2000 due to legal issues.

Yesterday, marks the important day for the come-back of Waghi Mek with its new Board of Directors and CEO to start rehabilitating the plantation with initial capital of K20. 5million.

The K20million is funded by the National Government and was kept by Governor Kaiwi for three years and was given back to Waghi Mek through its own account.

Another K500, 000 was presented by Coffee Minister William Bando as start-up capital to support the rehabilitation and committed to provide continuous supports.

Insert, Coffee Industry Corporation CEO Charles Bambui presenting the cheque

The Funding will help the new board of directors, board chairman, CEO and the shareholders to revive the 17 various coffee blocks, totalling 900 hectares of coffee blocks.

Simon Kaiwi, Governor for Jiwaka says, we have come a long way to re-establishing the company and today, the government is giving back this important asset back to the people.

The Coffee Minister William Bando commended Governor Kaiwi to take a bold stand to revive Waghi Mek.