House adopts approval on restoration, relief efforts

PARLIAMENT has adopted the recommendations made by a committee on emergency concerning relief and restoration efforts for people affected by the February earthquake.
It includes a two-month extension to the state of emergency, a defence force call-out to provide assistance to police and civilian authorities during the national emergency in Hela and Southern Highlands.
There is also an amendment to the Western, Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela Restoration Authority Act to include West Sepik and Gulf.
The Government will also expedite the appointment of a permanent provincial administrator for Southern Highlands, a proper enquiry into the cause(s) of the earthquake and its impacts to be taken immediately.
All disaster coordination functions and responsibility at the National Disaster Centre are to be decentralised to regional centres and provinces and funded adequately.
There will also be counselling services set up to deal with trauma caused by earthquake. Finance Minister James Marape commended the committee for doing a very good job.