Elderly, disabled receive pension

A TOTAL of 2,340 elderly and disabled pensioners from the Central New Ireland rural local level government (LLG) in New Ireland received their K500 pensions last week.
The yearly pension payout was held at Konos station in the presence of community members on Wednesday.
The Tabar islanders gave Governor Sir Julius Chan a chiefly welcome at the event.
Sir Julius was initiated with rights as a traditional chief under a Malagan initiation ceremony on the island 20 years ago.
He was bestowed the power of the Malagan from the Walik.
This was followed by a number of reconciliation ceremonies by locals who admitted they did not side with Sir Julius during the last elections.
Sir Julius said he had no grudges against anyone and was in office to serve the people.
“For three years I watched and waited for the person who promised you very high pension payout for the old age and disabled during the last election,” he said.
“Since he has not kept his promise, I have decided to intervene.
“From this day onwards and as long as this Government is leading you, you will receive your pension of K500.
Chief executive officer for government subsidy Mactil Bais said since the Old Age and Disabled pension policy was introduced in 2007, K47 million had been invested directly to the population.
“In the Central LLG you will be receiving K1.1 million from this payout alone. Use this money wisely,” Bais said.
To start the pension payouts, two elderly pensioners, a man and a woman, were the first to receive their pensions.
A cheque of K1.3 million was presented to the Central LLG for ward members under the New Ireland government’s ward level for community development programme.
Meanwhile, there was a ground breaking at the site of the new Central LLG assembly chamber that will be built by PNGSJC, the same contractor the built the iconic New Ireland Legislative Assembly building.