Churches, NGOs play vital role in nation building: Officer

CHURCHES and non-government organisations (NGOs) in the country are important partners in building the nation, Enga administrator Dr Samson Amean says.
Dr Amean said before Papua New Guinea gained independence, churches had been playing a key role in evangelising the people as well as providing health and education services to the people.
He spoke on Saturday at Lakolam village in Wabag after thanking Mapai Transport owner Jacob Luke for expanding a school which would benefit around 20,000 people. He said this strengthened the public-private partnership where Luke had come on board to help improve education in the district.
Dr Amean said the Enga government presented a cheque for K160,000 to help expand the school.
He said the school, named Concordia, would now cater for early childhood education.
He said currently there were 600 students from grades 1 to 6 enrolled at the school.
Dr Amean thanked Luke, through his Mapai Foundation, for establishing the school.
He said Luke’s example was what other Papua New Guineans with the means to do so needed to consider to help in building this nation.
Dr Amean said churches and NGOs would continue to provide vital services to the country and commended them.