West Sepik Destination Authority

10/06/2026

On 17 July 2026, it will be exactly 28 years since the tragic Sissano Tsunami of 17 July 1998 struck Aitape, West Sepik Province, taking many innocent lives and changing families and communities forever.

This song is dedicated to the mothers, fathers, children, elders, and loved ones who were lost, and to the survivors who continue to carry the memories in their hearts.

Today, Sissano stands not only as a place of sorrow, but also as a place of remembrance, healing, education, and future tourism development — a destination where visitors can come to honour the victims, learn the story, and keep the memory alive.

May this song be a voice for those we lost, and a tribute to the strength of the Sissano people.

In loving memory of the Sissano Tsunami victims.
17 July 1998 – Never forgotten.

01/06/2026

23/05/2026

Along the peaceful shores of Aitape, where the sea is calm and the sunsets stretch across the beach, many people would never imagine that this quiet coastline carries one of the saddest stories of the Second World War.

Right here on Aitape Beach, one of the world’s most haunting war photographs was taken.

It captured the final moments of a young Australian soldier, Leonard George Siffleet.

Blindfolded.
Kneeling silently in the sand.
Far away from home and the people who loved him.

Behind him stood a Japanese officer holding a sword.

A few moments later, his life was gone.

Leonard Siffleet was only 27 years old.

He was somebody’s son, somebody’s brother, somebody’s friend. A young man who left his home in Australia to serve during one of the darkest periods in human history. He came to New Guinea as part of a secret wartime mission, never knowing that his journey would end on the shores of Aitape.

Even today, that photograph still touches hearts around the world.

Not because it shows war.
But because it shows the human side of war.
The fear, the sacrifice, the silence, and the courage of a young man facing his final moments far from home.

When you stand on Aitape Beach today, listening to the waves and watching the children playing nearby, it is difficult to imagine the pain and suffering that once filled this place during the war years.

But history lives here.

The West Sepik Destination Authority has now identified Aitape Beach as an important historical tourism site that deserves recognition, protection, and development.

This is not just about tourism.

It is about preserving history.
It is about telling stories that must never be forgotten.
It is about honouring the lives lost during the war and helping future generations understand what happened on these shores many years ago.

The 24th of October will also be recognised as a special day of remembrance to commemorate this tragic wartime event at Aitape.

Some places carry beauty.
Some places carry memories.

Aitape carries both.

Lest we forget. 🌺

19/05/2026

Sitting quietly in Aitape High School West Sepik Province is this old World War II aircraft wreck, standing as a silent reminder of PNG’s role during the Pacific War many decades ago.

From the shape and structure of the aircraft, it appears to most likely be an old Allied American plane used during wartime operations across Papua New Guinea.

Even though time, rust, and tropical weather have damaged much of the aircraft, it still carries a strong sense of history and mystery.

These old war relics are more than abandoned metal. They are part of our story, our history, and an important reminder for future generations.

17/05/2026

Thank you Hon. Belden Namah for your vision in promoting our melanesia cultural identity and share commitment across our melanesia regional destinations.

12/05/2026

WEST SEPIK COLLEGE

West Sepik Province will soon be the host to one of the country's Technical, Teachers and Nursing college in the country.

Aligning with the government aim in building 10 new colleges in the country West Sepik has taken the intiative to step forward in this education space.

The college will be built in Poro Village in Aitape. On Friday a ground breaking ceremony was officated by the Minster for the Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology Kinoka Feo and Governor for West Sepik Tony WouWou.

Governor WouWou in his remarks says this institution is part of the National Governments policy in building more colleges across all provinces in the country.

" West Sepik is aligning to the government's policy in building this college."

Giving his key note address Minister for DHERST Kinoka Feo congratulates the province on taking the intiative in building this institution.

Minister Feo says the country has limited space in taking more students into tertiary institutions.

"As Minister responsible for Tertiary Institutions, my my aim is to increase the space of now 60 thousand to 500 thousand spaces so every Papua New Guinean can have a space in higher education, so for West Sepik in building this college will perfectly fits this vision." Said minister Feo.

The Minister also stressed on the importance of education to the people of Poro stating education is the only key to human development in the province and country as a whole.

To officially kick start the project, DHERST presented a cheque of K1 million to the provincial government.

Another K500 thousand was also announced by the Vanimo-Green MP and Minister for Tourism Art and Culture Belden Namah to help support the construction of the new college.

Furthermore DHERST has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Provincial Government and Administration to support major tertiary instutions in the province like the upcoming West Sepik Colle

08/05/2026

Official ground breaking ceremony for Poro Aitape Lumi by Minister DHERST, Secretary DHERST, Governor Wouwou, Minister Namah, Member Aitape Lumi Hon. Anderson Mise

07/05/2026

Official Opening of the West Sepik Destination Authority Office, Vanimo WSP
By Hon. Belden Namah Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture

07/05/2026