‘Roof over heads’ policy brings change

RURAL New Irelanders are now seeing the value of the trees on their traditional land.
This was after 30 complete sawmill sets were bought for all wards of eight local level governments in New Ireland to roll out the provincial government’s ‘roof over heads’ policy.
The provincial government purchased sawmills with chainsaws and winches at the cost of K1.3 million under the ward project rollout so that cheap but quality timber could be felled for housing.
Governor Sir Julius Chan praised council wards for planning and providing within budget for the good and wellbeing of their people.
Housing will deliver two basic needs of life — roofing and clean water.
“We have done great for our people, with the wards setting own priorities and helping me address the real needs of our people in remote and distant areas,” Sir Julius said.
Chief executive for provincial government subsidies Mactil Bais said timber milling equipment was delivered to all 30 wards last April.
People are now having access to quality timber.
“More and more rural and remote communities in New Ireland are getting access to cheap but quality sawn timber for housing from Governor Sir Julius Chan’s impact project for rural communities,” Bais said.
He said of the eight LLGs, the southern-most Konoagil LLG had been given 10 timber mills, as it had the largest remaining tracts of natural forest resource in New Ireland.
Bais said LLG wards received annual grants of K40,000 to the three remote councils of Murat, Tanir and Konoagil.
The remaining councils get K30,000.