State backing will not falter, Dion says

 MAINSTREAM Christian churches have been assured of Government support in service delivery to the people.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Inter-Government Relations Leo Dion told the Church Partnership Programme forum in Port Moresby the Government would partner the churches in social service delivery.
He said the expanding population needed to be catered for by the church and Government.
“The Government acknowledges that it needs the churches’ input to encourage progress,” Dion said.
“There needs to be funding to help carry out these purposes. “The churches that operate in the provinces, districts and local level governments are, and will remain, an integral part of the service delivery system.
“In the same vein, churches must be supported and to access government funds to perform activities on behalf of the government.”
He commended the churches for their commitment to deliver basic services such as health and education.
He urged church representatives to recommend how they could be supported by the Government more.