NIP women get K200,000

 A K200,000 boost from the National Gaming Control Board will help resuscitate the New Ireland Women’s Council.

Imelda Agon from the board handed over the cheque to the council in Kavieng, fulfilling the commitment made by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill last year. 

Desley Paanasae Rowan, the manager of community development at the New Ireland provincial administration, welcomed the funding, which would provide support for the revival of the council after 11 years.

“The cheque has been some time in coming, but we are very pleased it has now arrived, and this means the New Ireland Women’s Council can look to the future with renewed confidence,” Rowan said.

 “This funding will provide the means for the women of New Ireland, with leadership and support to make a real difference,” she said.

“It has been recognised around the world that women in any community are the most dependable stewards of development. This assistance will allow the women to play a full role in ensuring that development in the province happens in a way that is supportive of the family, the community and the interests of the province as a whole.”

Women’s representative Philomena Jonah and Hedwig Yip, the interim president of the  council accepted the money in the presence of church representative Vinnie Ikau and administration officials. 

“This funding support is one of the many commitments made by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill during his visit to New Ireland in April 2013,” Jonah said.

“Many of those commitments are still outstanding with a total of K600,000 pledged to 12 schools and K60 million to complete the Boluminski Highway sealing, a Government obligation under the Lihir agreement.

“We are pleased and appreciate that the prime minister has not forgotten his promises to New Ireland and we are hopeful that this is a sign that other outstanding commitments will be honoured soon.”