2 December 2013

Community development projects for Manus

Australia and the Manus Provincial Administration have agreed on a package of community assistance that will include projects targeting youth unemployment and the consumption of homebrew.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) commitment was signed in Port Moresby by the Manus Provincial Administration and the Australian Government.

Minister, Development Cooperation, at the Australian High Commission, Stuart Schaefer, said projects will respond to community concerns about increases in homebrew production and consumption.

“Projects will tackle causes of homebrew consumption by addressing key issues such as the lack of livelihood opportunities and limited recreational and sporting activities,” Mr Schaefer said.

“We will build on the success of community-level partnerships already in place through the Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen (SPSN) program.”

SPSN is a partnership between the Governments of Australia and PNG that enables civil society, the private sector and government to work together in partnership to better meet the needs of communities across PNG.

The MoU commits to building the capacity of the Manus Provincial Administration to implement the activities. Selected north-central Manus Island communities will also receive livelihoods support to help them adapt to climate change.

The MoU activities will be implemented over four years as part of additional assistance for Manus Province.

Under the additional assistance initiative, the PNG Government has provided K18.5 million to the Manus Provincial Government for projects in Manus and Australia will match this contribution and expects to exceed it.

The works include education infrastructure, road maintenance and rehabilitation, specialist medical equipment and the renovation of Lorengau Market roof.

Australia’s existing aid for Manus includes delivery of textbooks and school infrastructure, delivery of medical supply kits to 62 aid posts and 13 health centres and the awarding of health scholarships. The existing aid includes K824,000 to 11 SPSN projects in Manus, with procurement for seven of the small grants underway.