Development plans for Manus underway

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Monday June 24th, 2013

 AUSTRALIAN Aid in the country is set to begin its delivery of additional assistance for Manus.

That assistance includes school buildings and medical equipment.

This follows a meeting last week between the head of Australian Aid in Papua New Guinea, Stuart Schaefer, Manus Governor Charlie Benjamin and Manus provincial administration staff, including acting provincial administrator, Andrew Posong.

The meeting was about the implementation of the package announced in December last year. 

The governments of Australia and PNG are working together on additional assistance, including road upgrades, improved education and medical infrastructure and support for economic development.

“The construction of double classrooms, administration offices, teachers’ houses and ablution blocks at 20 schools selected by the Manus provincial administration is expected to start in July,” Schaefer said.

“Medical equipment for Lorengau General Hospital is to be delivered progressively in the coming months and a company has been selected through open tender to help develop a hospital master plan that can guide future work. 

“I look forward to further discussions with the Manus provincial government about renovating the Lorengau market.”

Schaefer most recently visited Manus over June 10-11 for talks about the additional assistance package. 

The package is in addition to Australia’s existing planned support under the PNG–Australia Partnership for Development to Manus which includes school infrastructure, teacher housing, classrooms, teaching materials, new text books and distribution of medical kits to all health centres, hospitals and aid posts.

Schaefer attended the signing ceremony for more than K290,000 in Australian grants for community development projects in Manus delivered through the Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen programme.