Government continues providing services

Mr Mori (with flowers) inspecting the computers that were launched

Post Courier

The National Government continues to bring critical basic services to mining provinces in the country. It (National Government) has delivered on many of its commitments under the various Memorandum of Agreements (MoAs) relating to mining projects. These projects are facilitated and implemented on behalf of the government by the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) in consultation with other relevant government departments. Commitments that have been fulfilled, completed and are now being enjoyed by mining provinces and communities include the Namatanai Rural Hospital under the Lihir MoA, Usino/Bundi Police houses and vehicles under the Ramu Mine MoA and maintenance of 17 Public Servants houses in Konos Central New Ireland, under the Simberi MoA The most recent project launched was a double storey classroom and 12 computer sets for the Grace Memorial Secondary School in Wau, Bulolo District Morobe Province. This project which is a commitment under the Hidden Valley Mine MoA cost the state K320, 000.00. The project was launched last Friday (Nov 23) by the Vice Minister for Mining Hon Wera Mori. He was accompanied by the Acting Managing Director for the MRA Mr Philip Samar, Bulolo District Administratrator Tae Gaumbelek, Morobe Mining Joint Venture Senior Community Affairs Representative Mr Stanley Komunt and the School’s staff members. Also at the launching were school children, parents and the general public. Mr Mori said when launching the classroom that this initiative by the government was aimed at promoting education and creating an educated community in Bulolo district. He said education was the only way through which socio-economic benefits could flow to their community, adding that education was also the means to prosperity, minimizing crime and ethnic conflicts. “Prosperity can only come when a population is educated,” said Hon Mori. The Vice Minister reminded the community that they were lucky to have a lot of natural resources to support them in social sectors like education through partnerships between private organizations and the government The School’s Principal Bruce Nalau said the school had been facing a shortage of classrooms adding that this new classroom was a “relief”. He said the computers would enable students’ expand their skills in area of information technology. Mr Guambelek said well established infrastructures like classrooms played important parts in students’ learning and academic performances. He thanked the MRA and the National Government for recognizing the importance of establishing the vital infrastructure. Mrs Cathy Guambelek who is a parent of a grade 11 student at the school said that she was happy to see the new development. She said the school needed this kind of facility that could boost the morale of students which would enable them (students) to learn with enthusiasm and pride.