Authorities in West Sepik are still waiting for funding to eradicate the Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB).

The disease has the capacity to destroy the multi-million kina cocoa industry in Papua New Guinea and is raging on in parts of West Sepik.

Three months since its inception into Lumi, a remote district of the province, dedicated agriculture officers continue to work with what little they have to save the province's cash crop and industry from being wiped out by the pest.

Aitape-Lumi Program Officer, Raphael Seki said they had submitted a response plan to the national government and since been waiting for funds to carry out eradication work before the pest spread to more blocks.

At present, the CPB had affected cocoa pods mainly in blocks in the western end of Lumi, where many are smallholder blocks and government schemes to help the people.

Areas affected included Malol and villages nearby, Wauningi, Siaute, wom, Lumi, Pes and the 1400ha Poro Agriculture Settlement Scheme (a government initiative to assist the villagers and settlers in Lumi).

In total 68 blocks of 10 hectares each had been affected with the figures likely to increase as the authorities and block owners wait for government funding.

A quarantine officer Francis Oken at the Sandaun Quarantine Office confirmed they had set up quarantine check points around Lumi to stop the movement of plant materials especially cocoa parts and seedlings.

The National Response Unit from East New Britain, comprising senior scientist from Coconut and Cocoa Institute, was in Lumi conducting training and shared their experiences with the local authority on how to cope and eradicate the pest.