ABG wants dialogue with Govt

 THE non-payment of K100 million Special Intervention Fund last year has affected implementation of important projects in health, education and infrastructures in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, an official says.

Bougainville Special Projects coordinator Ephraim Eminor told The National yesterday that a list of projects under the health sector were not implemented as planned.

“This funding is part of the Bougainville Peace Agreement between ABG and the Government to rebuild Bougainville,” Eminor said.

Meanwhile, acting Chief Secretary of theABG Paul Kebori, during the Leaders’ Summit in Port Moresby, said the SIF had significantly delivered vital and high infrastructure projects.

“The Government in its own wisdom has initiated these projects and intervention to help and rebuild Bougainville,” Kebori said.

“To date, the intervention has improved the livelihood of people and we thank the Government.”

But he said there was a need for the project to continue.

“We believe that there is a need for further dialogue between ABG and the Government to continue the project in a more revenue generations approach and not dependent on grants,” he said.

“At the moment, our internal revenue is not enough to sustain ABG to deliver services to people.

“We want further dialogue with the Government to continue this project and to also look at other areas of generating revenue.”

Despite this he was grateful of Govt’s assistance so far.