Ipatas gives to foundation

ENGA Governor Peter Ipatas has personally donated K100,000 towards the newly established Ipatas Foundation during its launching on Friday in Wabag in front of a capacity crowd.
When presenting the cheque which was sourced from his family company of Panda Builders to the foundation chairman Isaac Lupari, Ipatas also made an undertaking to transfer property and funds worth over K80 million from the Enga Children’s Fund to the foundation.
He said the establishment of the foundation was to ensure that every child in his province was educated up to Grade12.
The foundation would provide up to 50% of the total fees  for students in primary school to tertiary institutions under a loan arrangement  so they may repay when they are employed in the future.
Ipatas said the introduction of the concept was to sustain the children’s welfare scheme through education.
He also urged the other leaders in the  province to back the new concept.
“I think it is time we thought a bit bigger than our petty politics to do something constructive for the people,” he said.
Ipatas said his intention to transfer assets including funds from the Enga Children’s Fund to the foundation was to allow an independent organisation to look after the investments which were meant to serving the interest of children.
Other individuals and organisations that  announced financial assistance towards the foundation include Enga administration  K900,000, Porgera Joint Venture K100,000, Star Tailoring K20,000,  Mining Minister and Kompiam-Ambum MP John Pundari through the Minerals Resources Authority K10,000, Wapenamanda Cofee K10,000 and  Border Security Service K5,000.
Ipatas also thanked Ipatas Foundation chairman Isacc Lupari, Enga provincial assembly members and the Enga provincial administration for their support in establishing the organisation.
Lupari thanked Ipatas for the scheme and said that the foundation would certainly be a succeess because it was in line with the policy of universal education.