Jimi DDA airlifts LLG election materials into remote areas with K100,000 support

Kol LLG Ballot boxes air lifted for Konkana (Ambullua) with Francis Ngumbi (Image: Supplied)

The Jimi District Development Authority [DDA] in Jiwaka Province has stepped in with K100,000 logistics support to ensure polling materials reach some of the country’s most remote communities for the Local Level Government [LLG] elections.

The funds enabled Heli Solutions Ltd to airlift 36 boxes of ballot papers and election materials from Kagamuga Airport in Western Highlands to Koinambe and Kol LLGs on Friday. Of these, 22 boxes were flown to Koinambe and 14 to Kol.

Jimi District Administrator Mathew Pyakali thanked DDA Chairman and Minister for Civil Aviation, Wake Goi, for approving the funding to make the operation possible.

“Due to the remoteness of our district, many wards are completely isolated. This genuine support ensures our people can fully participate in the LLG elections and choose their community representatives,” Pyakali said.

The LLG elections in Jimi District began on Friday and continue today, with polling expected to conclude in the remaining wards.

Jimi District Administrator Mathew Pyakali (right) ready to airlift boxes out to Kol and Koinabe LLG in Jimi from Mt Hagen Kagamuka Airport last Friday (Image: Supplied)

Kol LLG Assistant Returning Officer Paulus Konts also acknowledged the DDA’s support, saying it made a crucial difference for the Electoral Commission’s operations in Jiwaka.

“We are unable to provide logistics support of this scale on our own,” Konts said. “Thanks to the DDA, people in remote Jimi can now vote peacefully and prepare for counting.”

Jiwaka Election Manager Rossie Pandihau also commended the Jimi DDA for its contribution during a Provincial Steering Committee meeting last Thursday.

The assistance has been widely praised as a key example of district-level cooperation ensuring fair and inclusive local elections across Papua New Guinea.