Rabaul plans to strengthen welfare services

 THE Rabaul district administration plans to strengthen social welfare services that will enhance integral human development especially in youths, acting district administrator Marakan Uvano said.

He was speaking last Friday at the opening of the double classroom at Clifton primary school.

The school is located at the Clifton resettlement area when displaced people from the twin volcanic eruptions in 1994 live.

“Youths are the most vulnerable group in our resettlements and contribute to most social issues we are experiencing today,” Uvano said.

He said from reports made at law and order committee meetings, youths were the main factors behind rising social problems.

He said next year, the district administration planned to minimise its focus on infrastructure projects and strengthen its social welfare services. 

“Our social welfare is weak and we are emphasising too much on roads and buildings. Welfare services, economic and entrepreneur empowerment to youths and women are lacking at the rural level,” Uvano said.

He said the community and government had important roles to play in developing youths.

Uvano urged women in the district to make use of the revolving fund from the Mataure Rabaul Micro-finance institution. 

He said it was a facility for poor people in the rural communities who found it difficult to access financial assistance from lending institutions.