By DALCY LULUA
THE Japanese Government through the Japan Embassy in Papua New Guinea has signed a K23 million grant aid with the government specifically for Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) and the Department of Higher Education, Research and Technology (DHERST).
The Japanese Ambassador, His Excellence Nobuyuki Watanabe said, PNG’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko had a very productive meeting with his counterpart, Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa, at the Pacific Island Leaders Meeting (PALM) Interim Meeting in Fiji last week.
“The signing of today’s (Monday Feb 19) new project immediately following their meeting is very meaningful for the strengthening of bilateral relations between our two countries,” he said.
The first program signed involves 60 vehicles for RPNGC that cost JP¥500 million (K12.8 million).
“Providing the most needed vehicles in the security field, we intend to create an environment for peace and security in communities,” Watanabe added.
He stressed that citizens would concentrate on activities that would raise their living standard instead of worrying about law-and-order issues.
The second program is the provision of Information Communication and technology (ICT) equipment for teachers colleges – such as video conferencing equipment – and it is worth JP¥400 million (K10.2 million).
“This is part of a long-standing program of cooperation between Japan and PNG including development, production and distribution of textbooks and school facilities maintenance,” Watanabe added.
“I sincerely hope that these two (2) programs will contribute to strengthening the cooperation between Japan and PNG in these priority sectors and more so, the friendship between the people and governments of Japan and PNG.”
Tkatchenko said it was a significant day for the country as the Japanese Government has given two grant aids.
“They are sponsoring 60 brand new police vehicles for logistics and transport of the PNG Police and that is a massive injection to the logistics of police here. This will ensure that our police force have the logistics they need to do their operations internally,” he said.
Tkatchenko said the second project aid worth K10.2m for the provision of ICT equipment for Teachers colleges, give better access to education and information to our students in PNG.
Tkatchenko said these grants totaling to K23million is a gift to PNG and must not be taken lightly.
“This grant must not be taken very lightly. What we get from Japanese Government must be looked after, must be maintained. This is something we need to utilize for the benefit of our people,” he said.
“I am sure the police force will be very grateful for the gift as it comes at the right time and also for DHERST in improving and enhancing the IT capabilities in our schools and educational institutions, that is a very big thing.”
