Japan, ENB boost relations

By ROSELYN ELLISON
THE people of East New Britain and Japan have established a friendship for more than 30 years.
ENB government have been in good relationship with the Japanese government and people after the Japanese government financially assisted and supported the ENB government to build the Tokua Airport after the twin volcanic eruption.
ENB Governor Nakikus Konga said this during a welcome reception on board JS Kashima with Japanese ambassador Satoshi Nakajima and Commander of Japan Training Squadron and Rear Admiral Daisuke Kajimoto on Friday evening at Rabaul Port.
Konga said despite what the Japanese had done to the people in ENB during the World War II, people of ENB were looking forward for a bond and long-term friendship with the Japanese people.
“We government, administration and good people of beautiful ENB don’t want to keep any grudges against you Japanese people.
“What happened 75 years ago during the Second World War has gone. We are into the new chapter as we want to join hands and work in partnership with your (Japanese) government and people.
“On behalf of my people, I welcome you to my beautiful province.
“Feel free to move around as you will find the people of ENB are very friendly and this is one very unique thing about us,” Konga said. Konga thanked the Japanese government for its endless support to the province.
He said the building of Tokua Airport after the volcanic eruption was one of the examples of major assistance from the Japanese government to the people of ENB.
Konga said the Japanese government gave K28 million to ENB government to build the airport.
He said the Japanese government had been sending Jica volunteers to ENB for the past 34 years and these volunteers had been providing very outstanding services to the people of the province.
Nakajima, on behalf of the Navy officers, crew members and other officials from both Japanese Navy ships JS Kashima and JS Inazuma, thanked the people of ENB for their hospitality.
Nakajima said as an appreciation, the Japanese government would build 3km extension of the Tokua Airport runway.
He said feasibility studies on the 3km extension was completed.