WNB school receives K70,000 for a library

IT was a quiet little ceremony recently about 40km outside of Kimbe town, West New Britain.
The morning sun has begun to heat up the dew on the freshly cut lawn as provincial government vehicles arrived and parked on the campus of the Sir Lukas Waka Primary School, in Bola village of the Talasea local level government area.
Traditionally dressed young men were already swaying to the rhythmic kundu beat of the famous westic canoe dance forming a traditional guard of honour as Governor Peter Humphreys and government delegates walked towards the official dais.
The occasion was to receive a cheque for K70,000 from the provincial government for the building of a new library for students and teachers at the Sir Lukas Waka Primary School.
The former Somare-Abal government pledged K30,000 for a new library during the national executive council meeting in the province in 2010 as a token of recognition and appreciation to the senior statesman and founder of the school, Sir Lukas Waka, as well as recognition of the provincial government.
But Humphreys confirmed that the long awaited promise by the then Somare-Abal government was being
honoured by the
O’Neill-Namah government, which made available  K30,000.
In addition to the initial K30,000, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill added his government’s contribution with an additional K40,000 for building the new classroom.
Construction is expected to start soon.
Sir Lukas, who was present to witness the presentation, expressed satisfaction at the provincial government and thanked Humphreys for not giving up and following up on the funds.
Sir Lukas said it was the first time after many years for the school and the people of Bola to receive such help from the provincial government.
Humphreys, who was accompanied by provincial administrator Steven Raphael and other senior government officials, presented the cheque to the school board chairman in front of Sir Lukas.