Funding woes at NVS

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Monday July 15th, 2013

 By TERRY DAVID

THE National Volunteer Service (NVS) lacks funding to expand activities throughout the country, executive director Ernesto Ortega says.

He said the service had always been considered as a key player in helping the government in its development programmes. 

“However, we lack funding,” Ortega said.

He said the service had plans to expand its volunteer work but needed help from the government.

“I have made submissions for funding but had not received much,” he said.

He thanked Maprik MP John Simon for honouring a K50,000 commitment made by his predecessor Gabriel Kapris through a joint district planning and budget priority committee agreement.

Ortega said K20,000 would go towards allowances for the volunteers.  The funding was for Maprik district alone. 

He said the first phase of the service’s expanded version would involve 16 health workers and three food security officers. 

“Upon the district’s request according to their service requirements, we will provide volunteers before funding for additional funds submission,” Ortega said. 

He said Kerema, Bulolo and East Sepik had asked for more than 100 volunteers but that would depend on funding. 

“It is their government’s responsibility to look into this matter,” he said. 

“We are prepared to send qualified, specialised volunteers they may request but cannot send them there without allowances to sustain them and the logistics for the work,” Ortega said.