K48.42m project to train NCD youths

By JASON GIMA WURI
A K48.42 million (US$17.9 million) pro­ject launched in the National Capital District yesterday will provide training and work placement opportunities for 17,500 young people in the city.
Funding for the five-year urban youth development project will come from the World Bank (US$15.8 million), NCDC (US$1.5 million) and the Korean government (US$0.6 million).
Additional financing (US$0.9 million) would be sought from the PNG liquefied natural gas pro­ject while AusAID had committed US$40,000.
Bank South Pacific and Digicel (PNG) Ltd had also made commitments.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop launched the pro­ject, and said: “In Port Moresby, many young people lack the skills and qualifications needed to compete in the workforce and are trapped in poverty and unemployment.
“Through strategic partnerships between the government, World Bank and industry leaders, the project is a major step in ensuring that youths, who are most disadvantaged in NCD, are given the opportunity to reach their full potential through training and work expe­riences.”
He said the project also provided an important opportunity for youths to make a contribution to the city and improve and be­nefit their communities.
It would be implemented by NCDC’s department of community and social services.
Community Development Minister Dame Carol Kidu called on Parkop and City Hall to fund pro­jects and initiatives targeting youths, women and people living with a disability and HIV/AIDS.
“With the department and ministry, my functions have been decentralised and I am just following the law by calling on the provincial governments, who are responsible, to put money into these various groups.
“My role is, more or less, to do with policy and implications,” Dame Ca­rol said.