GOVERNOR WESLEY USES SACRED KULA CUSTOM TO SEEK NATIONAL SUPPORT

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL

IN a deeply symbolic move blending tradition with modern politics, Milne Bay Governor Gordon Wesley initiated a Kula partnership with Prime Minister James Marape to lock in national government support for stalled provincial projects.

The traditional gesture took place during the official opening of the newly upgraded Gurney Airport on Friday.

Governor Wesley used the sacred Kula custom and gave a Bagi to the Prime Minister. This traditional gift creates a lifelong bond of deep trust and respect.

The Governor used this special moment to ask for national help to finish five local schools that were initiated but remain uncompleted up to now.
Governor Wesley revealed that severe financial constraints have stalled the completion of five critical provincial institutions, specifically a teacher’s college, a Polytech college, a science and technology university, the Saint Barnabas School of Nursing, and a maritime college.

“Today, we are Kula partnering with you to see more support in these projects and other initiatives in the province,” Governor Wesley told the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister was not the only leader bound by tradition during the event.

Governor Wesley also initiated a Kula partnership with Civil Aviation Minister Douglas Tomuriesa, using the custom to highlight abandoned rural airstrips in the province, including the Kiriwina, Misima, and Woodlark airstrip with several others across the province.

“Today we are partnering you to help us with the difficulties of other airports in the province,” Wesley said.
Both the Prime Minister and the Civil Aviation Minister accepted the Bagi without making any comments.

Governor Wesley concluded the ceremony by thanking Prime Minister Marape for providing timely national government relief to the people of Milne Bay when Cyclone Maila devastated the province earlier this year.

He also thanked the Prime Minister for appointing Milne Bay’s son, to be the Civil Aviation portfolio, expressing hope that the move will finally get Milne Bay back into the air.