Bougainville tastes progress

By ANTHONY KAYBING DWU journalism student
A LOT of progress, in terms of district administration, infrastructural development and governance, has taken place throughout Bougainville, according to the South Bougainville regional quarterly report submitted by the regional commissioner Joe Lera.
The report also showed that the progress became a reality after two sessions of introductory awareness programmes were held in April and May this year.
Mr Lera also revealed in the report that a lot had been achieved in infrastructural development in the four Southern region districts.
The report showed that in the Buin district a new district administration office was completed in June and awaiting completion were the regional commissioner’s office, staff houses and other developments in health and education sector.
In the Siwai district the construction of a new district office and five staff houses still under way.
Funding for the Council of Elders offices have been catered for but remain stagnant due to consultation with land owners on the location of the land where the offices are to be built.
In the Bana district ,five projects were expected to be implemented this year.
These projects include the relocation of the Bana District Administration Office, upgrading of the Sovele health centre, restoration of three aid posts destroyed during the crisis and purchase of a new vehicle for the district office.
Torokina district also showed signs of progress with the completion of the administration block along with three staff houses.
Other proposed plans were a new police lock up for the district and the establishment of a new commercial centre.
Mr Lera said while a lot had been achieved in the last six months regardless of post crisis pressures and other challenges and constraints he challenged the public servants to work hard to ensure the people of South Bougainville were accorded the highest level of government services and development in the years to come.