ENB gives to Qld flood relief

By JASON GIMA WURI
EAST New Britain Governor Leo Dion has given K150,000 on behalf of the people of the province to Queensland flood relief.
Dion presented a cheque for the amount to Australian High Commissioner Ian Kemish last Friday.
“It is my greatest privilege to present this donation from my people and the ENB government as it strengthens close and brotherly relations between our two countries,” Dion said.
“Papua New Guinea and Australia will always be together and I want to say that when your people feel the pain in times of na­tural disasters, we feel it here too,” he said.
“When you are happy, we are happy and when you are angry, we are saddened.
“It is with this mind that when the floods hit the people of Queensland recently, we in East New Britain, just like others in PNG, felt your pain as well.
“When our people always feel this pain, you come to hold our hands and comfort us, however it is very hard to express our gratitude.
“It is with this in mind, as governor of the people of ENB, I present to your government and the people of Queensland this cheque as a small contribution to help our brothers and sisters who suffered from this disaster,” Dion said.
He said the grassroots people had raised K50,000 and the provincial government added K100,000.
“Our two countries have a lot in common, however, East New Britain  province has and will always have a special place for your people, your government and the country.
“History tells us that during World War II, blood was spilled on our soil and today our strong relationship continues to be nurtured and is growing through the great assistance your government and people are providing for the province through our government and administration,” he said.
He thanked the Australian government for the latest increase in the aid package to PNG.
“Some of this assistance is coming to East New Britain and I want to thank you for the support through the AusAID programme,” he said.
Kemish expressed gratitude at the way the grassroots people could donate such an amount of money to Australia.