Jica president, Japan delegation visit ENB

By ABIGAIL PHOEBE
JAPAN International Cooperation Agency (Jica) president Dr Shinichi Kitaoka and a delegation from Japan were in East New Britain last Friday to visit projects they had helped fund.
A similar delegation visited the country in 1998.
Kitaoka said East New Britain was significant to the people of Japan because of the wars.
“There are fallen (Japanese) soldiers here. Despite the wars, we are now enjoying a wonderful relationship,” he said.
“Jica has played a significant role in building this province and this country.
“There are so many reasons why I am happy to visit this island.”
Kitaoka said he was pleased that the mutual friendship, trust and partnership were continuously strengthened through various development projects.
“Our assistance to this country is beyond international aid. It is an international friendship,” he said.
Deputy provincial administrator Levi Mano said Japan had been a major part of development in the province.
Mano said there were Japanese organisations established in East New Britain such as OISCA International.
“We feel blessed and happy because Japan has been generous to us in terms of development assistance over the years,” he said.
The Japanese had been part of East New Britain since the 1800s.”
At the Kabaleo Demonstration Primary School, Kitaoka was told that students had improved significantly in science and mathematics since three Jica volunteers started teaching at the school.
Jica has been assisting East New Britain through its volunteer scheme and infrastructure programmes.