Governor for East Sepik Allan Bird has called on the National Government to put together a team to prepare for the effects of El Nino.
During grievance debate in parliament last week Friday, Bird shared his experiences during the 2017 El Nino that saw much of the higher altitude provinces affected.
“This El Nino is going to be the worse than the last one. We will have to assume that by 60% of our population, perhaps more will be affected.”
“I would like to ask the Government to put together a by-partisan committee if we can look at getting prepared for this event.”
While weather warnings have been issued by the PNG National Weather Service and international meteorological centres, the Governor suggested engaging government organisations such as the National Agricultural Research Institute that has produced several drought resistant crops.
“I would also like to ask the government to consider organisations like NARI. I was happy to note that NARI has been working on a lot of drought resistant crops but these crops might need to be planted next month (June) and distributed widely, particularly sweet potato, cassava and others that NARI has been breeding for some time.
Time is of the essence and Bird encourages the government to move quickly in distributing these drought resistant food crops. He argues that these will greatly reduce cost on supplying food rations.
“We have to deploy that fairly quickly because if we don’t, government is going to be stuck with very large food bill and might ask Australian Government for food bill again.”
According to the PNG National Weather Service, Provinces on Drought Alert that need urgent action includes Jiwaka, Chimbu, Enga and Western Highlands. These provinces have been experiencing dry conditions over the last three (3) months.
Provinces that have experienced similar dry conditions over the last two (2) months include, Gulf, NCD, Central and Manus.
Provinces on Drought Watch are East New Britain, East Sepik, Madang, Oro and Western Province.
“Climate models project below normal rainfall across most of PNG for the upcoming June to August window.”
Meanwhile the Minister for Disaster Dr Billy Joseph has confirmed in parliament that the National Disaster Office has activated it’s “early action protocol” as El Nino warnings peak.
Joseph shared in parliament that El Nino conditions have been predicted to hit PNG this month and intensify well into the year with the possibility of ending in the first quarter of 2027.