ABG gets K15m state grant

By STEPHANIE ELIZAH
IMPACT projects for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville will be implemented under a K15 million restoration and development grant from the national government.
Bougainville Affairs Minister and South Bougainville MP Steven Kamma Pirika yesterday presented Bougainville President John Momis with a bank statement as proof of the funds being deposited into the ABG account.
Momis said the K15 million grant was from an agreement between the national government and ABG in the Bougainville peace agreement signed in 2001.
He said the funding would help with the rebuilding of roads, infrastructure and sorting out the Bougainville administrative divisions.
The president said the ABG would continue with its peace-building and weapons disposal initiatives and that it was talking with the PNG, Australia and New Zealand governments on building the technical and intellectual capacity of Bougainvilleans.
In thanking the PNG government, Pirika urged both governments to work together for the betterment of the people of Bougainville.