Dinghies for Pomio district

By ABIGAIL APINA
THE people of Pomio district, East New Britain, were given a number of 23-footer dinghies on Monday.
The boats cost K100,000.
The purchase was approved by the Pomio joint district planning and budget Priority Committee this year.
The presentation was delayed because of the general election.
It is understood that funds for the boats came from the 2011 member’s discretionary fund.
The boats would serve the Pomio Women’s Association, Milim, Kilalum, Setewei and Maskilkilie.
The association boat would be based at Palmalmal to serve women in the district, particularly in conducting training at its resource centres.
Pomio district administrator Peter Peniat said these groups were the second lot to receive boats from the district.
While addressing the recipients on Monday, he urged them to ensure the boats served their purposes in reaching out to the people to improve their livelihoods.
He said the boats were purposely bought for the people to help them get to the main Kokopo centre to access proper health and other vital services and to bring their produce to the main market.
He said this was because roads linking Pomio to the main centre were still bad.
“We cannot build the road overnight.
 More money is involved in such projects therefore with these boats, the people of Pomio can access services at the main centre in Kokopo by sea,” he said.
He thanked Pomio MP Paul Tiensten and Pomio JDP&BPC for recognising the needs of the people of Pomio and providing such vital resources to them.