Aust envoy opens B’ville community hall

AUSTRALIAN high commissioner John Feakes opened a community government hall in Ioro Two, Panguna, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, yesterday.
The building is one of nine community halls and 10 community government offices funded by Australia across Bougainville’s 19 districts.
During the ceremony, Feakes said he hoped the hall would increase opportunities for community engagement.
“These buildings provide meetings spaces for community governments and wards, furthering their efforts to meet their community’s development needs.”
The K30 million community government infrastructure initiative supports Australia’s localisation policy.
The policy prioritises contracting of local Bougainville-based service providers.
The project has created employment and skills development opportunities in the construction sector for more than 200 persons in Bougainville.
The facilities are purpose-built community meeting spaces with kitchenettes and storage rooms, a disability access ramp, chairs and storage racks, ceiling fans, and a 9,000-litre water tank.
Autonomous Bougainville Government Community Government and District Affairs Minister Theonila Roka-Matbob said the community government facilities are designed to support community governments and wards.
“They provide a functional space for the elected women and men to work together to perform their leadership and administrative duties and for community meetings and local activities,” Roka-Matbob said.