Financial literacy programme vital for rural people: MP

PEOPLE in rural areas need to undergo financial literacy trainings to start businesses and live a decent life, says Kokopo MP Emil Tammur.
The district recently organised such training for 248 people from the Bitagalip and Ramale wards in the Kokoipo-Vunamami urban local level government in East New Britain.
They received certificates at the end of the two-day programme facilitated by the East New Britain Savings and Loan and coordinated by the Kokopo district administration.
Tammur told the 248 participants that if they wanted to see changes in their wards, they must be innovative.
Tammur explained that the training was to help reduce the crime rate, as lawlessness was rife with young people mostly involved in illegal activities. The training programme focusing mainly on young people will be also held in the Raluana, Duke of York Islands and Bitapaka LLGs.
“We are looking for activities which will drive (people) away from lawlessness and to become good citizens,” he said.
He said the programme taught people how to save and budget money.
ENB Governor Nakikus Konga said the provincial government had allocated funding for small-medium businesses which people could access to get loans.
“The financial literacy training you received will now (allow) you to apply for a SME or MSME loan,” Konga said.
Bitagalip ward recorder Peter Kinanang thanked the Kokopo district administration for making the training available.