Old Aged and Disabled Pensioners receive pensions in New Ireland
Old Aged and Disabled Pensioners from the Nimamar LLG on Lihir Island became the second lot of Old Aged and Disabled Pensioners to receive their K500 pensions electronically after the Kavieng LLG. The official launching took place on the Friday 16th October at the Londovit Town oval.
Although the sun was blazing hot there was a huge turn out
by the locals and public who wanted to hear and witness the proceedings of the
day which was also colored by the beautiful choirs from children and churches, traditional sing-sings and dances.
Dignitaries included New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan,
Provincial Administrator Lamiller Pawut, CEO and Directors from the New Ireland
administration, Provincial Executive Council Reps, Lihir Bank South Pacific
branch manager Johnson Tetaga, Representatives of landowner Company Anitua, the
Local Level Government and local community leaders.
A total of 407 Pensioners received direct deposits into
their accounts on Friday , while payments for the remaining 760 will be done
manually starting Saturday onwards due to the unavailability of bank accounts.
In total K583,500 will have been disbursed once all
Pensioners receive their dues.
Lihir Bank South Pacific Manager Tetaga urged the Pensioners
to ensure their bank accounts remained active by making at least two to
three or as many transactions as
possible.
Ward Development Grants to the tune of K1,185,000 was also
allocated for the Nimamar LLG along with other Government subsidy policies
including school food rations, Beautification Awards, roof over heads, lighting
New Ireland, Bicycle and Wheelbarrow subsidies. In total K2,564,193 has been
invested back into the LLG.
6 major clan rep and executive Director of the Anitua Group
of companies Patrick Lambongis urged the Provincial Government to partner with
them where contracts at the ward level where concerned, “ Anitua can do the job
for you at a very competitive price, public monies will not have to be used up
on administrative costs as has been the case in the past because we will save
you that cost,” said Director Patrick
Labongis.
Governor Sir Julius Chan conveyed a forward looking message
to the Lihirians, that although they were endowed with the riches of the Lihir
Gold Mine there would come a day when all of it would be no more and they would
need the help of other parts of New
Ireland. “ This is why while my Government advocates on being Autonomous and
standing on our own two feet we must also share our wealth with other Provinces
because one day we will need them too. We are also aggressively pushing at the
National level to amend the mining act so the Landowners, LLG's,
Provincial Government’s and National
Government can have greater benefit sharing from the minerals that
rightfully belong to us,” said Sir J.
Sir J while thanking the people of Lihir for their
contribution to the Province said what they give is returned just like boomerang aid because of the Provincial
Government’s subsidy programs and policies.
After the event Sir J did not rest, he spent time in private
meetings with the people of Lihir listening to their concerns whilst advising
and consoling them as any great leader with the heart for the people would. A
group of young Athletes from the Lihir
Athletics Club also caught Sir J amidst his busy schedule asking for a photo
opportunity after they had scooped 7 medals during the recent NGI regional
Athletics Competition in August. While congratulating them Sir J imparted a
very important life principle to the youth, “ Nothing comes from Nothing, if
you want to make it in life you must work
hard,” a piece of advice taken to heart by the Athletes as they left Sir J
to continue his meetings.
Sir J and his delegation left Lihir on Saturday while the rest of the delegation heads back to Kavieng Sir J will continue to his home at Huris, in the Matalai LLG of the Namatanai District.
-Press Release
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