Village opens new market

**Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Jon Philp (left) with 83-year-old Luca Kahi who took the opportunity to get vaccinated during the opening of the market. – Picture supplied**

A NEW market, equipped with tank water and hygiene facilities, was opened at Sing village in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville yesterday to promote greater economic participation and hygiene to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
The facilities are part of a K14.3 million project that is providing water security and hygiene facilities at 50 markets and schools across Bougainville.
The market was opened by Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Lands Minister Robert Hamal Sawa, Bougainville Women’s Federation president Barbara Tanne and Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp.
The water security project, supported through a partnership between the ABG and the governments of PNG, Australia and New Zealand, will see nearly a million litres of clean water storage.
A mobile Covid-19 vaccination clinic was also presented to ABG Health Department for awareness and on-site vaccinations.
Robert Sawa and former ABG parliament deputy speaker Francesca Semoso emphasised the importance of getting vaccinated for the health of oneself, their family and community and for the strength of Bougainville.
Philp said hand-washing and proper hygiene were part of the Niupela Pasin approach which worked alongside vaccination to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 and bring an end to the pandemic.
“Vaccination is safe and top defence against the Covid-19,” he said. “More people in Bougainville and elsewhere in PNG are getting vaccinated.
“They are making a decision to protect themselves and others.”
Australia is working with the ABG Health Department to support the Covid-19 response, including more than K2 million for preparedness efforts and the vaccine rollout.