Peer education workshop a success

THE Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) completed a four-day peer education workshop yesterday.
Chamber president Allan McLay said the workshop was part of the LCCI’s project aimed at creating awareness of the problems associated with HIV/AIDS.
“It is important to rely on peer educators because they will teach what they learn to their colleagues in the workforce,” he said.
“We have a responsibility on how we can safe guard workers against this disease,” he added.
International consultant to the project, Dr Christine Bradley said the workshop was funded by the Asian Development Bank and was aimed reducing spread of HIV/AIDS, sexual transmitted infections (STI) and violence against women in the workplace through peer education.
“The workshop held was in connection with the big infrastructural construction projects in the province because a lot of people will be drawn to Lae to look for jobs,” she said.
Bradley said some of the people coming to Lae would leave their partners behind and enter into relationships that would increase risks.
“The workshop trained people who work in the companies that use the Lae Port or are involved in the new construction project,” she said.
Workshop facilitator Nellie McLay said these companies included PNG Ports Corporation Ltd, Armsec, National Agricultural Quarantine Authority (NAQIA), AHI Holdings, Lae Police, Pacific Towing, Huon district, Lae district and the Mainland Holding group of Companies.