Fully-equipped village health post launched

 A FULLY-equipped health post and two new houses funded by the Australian Government were officially launched at Kombo village in Nebilyer, Western Highlands, last Thursday.

The launching was witnessed by local MP and Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations Benjamin Poponawa and first secretary to Australia High Commissioner Emily Reiny.

The projects, worth more than K700,00, were initiated by Ps Solomon Paul from the Kombo Seventh Day Adventist Church when he saw  the need of people in Kombo while ministering. 

Reiny, when officially launching the health post, said the Australia Government through the “Senisim pipol senisim nesen programme” was happy to help out and see changes like this in rural areas.

She said that this was part of development and people needed to take care of the new buildings because they would benefit their children.  

Reiny said the Australian Government was pleased to make changes in rural areas because that would change many lives.

“When we talk about development, this is where it starts and I want you to cooperate and take ownership of these projects,” she said.

Paul said it has been a struggle but eventually through the SPSN programme the Kombo SDA Church was able to receive funds from Australia to build these projects.

“I am very thankful to the Australian Government, Australia High Commission and the SPSN programme for looking out to the need of simple village people of Papua New Guinea,” Paul said.

Meanwhile, Poponawa thanked the Australian Government for the support it has given to the people in his electorate.

He said this would benefit the people and was one of the major projects in his electorate.

“I commend you for what you done and my appeal to the people is to take ownership of it.

“It’s a gift from the Australian Government and my assurance to you is that we the community will take care of it. We have been taking care of other projects that have come to our community and this one will also be the same,” Poponawa said.

Poponawa thanked the SDA Church for its initiative, adding that the project will serve the majority of the people in the area.