NEW Ireland Governor, Hon. Walter D Schnaubelt has committed a total of K10 million worth of infrastructure projects for respective wards in the Lovongai Local Level Government.
He made the commitments during a recent three-day electoral visit to New Hanover, accompanied by acting Provincial Administrator Apelis Benson, Lovongai President Hon. Andrew Minkiong, Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Albert Beli, New Ireland Development Corporation (NIDC) Chairman Dr Deane Waruba, CEO Health Services Martha Salihombo, Provincial Works Manager Collen Dickson, Technical Service Director Salatiel Toraliu and office staff to address law and order issues affecting the LLG.
The Governor wants to see peace and good order prevail on the island in order to allow tangible economic development to reach the island populous.
Fighting has been ongoing since 2000, with unsuccessful peace talks and a lack of police presence exacerbating the issue.
Speaking to the people of Lovongai village, Puas, Umbukul, Tsoi, New Hanover Secondary School, Taskul and Ungalik, Schnaubelt stressed: “I want to see economic development to flourish on the island and that will only come if you leaders are willing to put your differences aside and work for the common good of the Lovongai people”.
“As late governor Sir J alludes: you started it and only you know how to stop it. For me, as your governor, I’ll be with you for peace and reconciliation come early September this year to end this fight together so we can bring back families that have been displaced to their respective wards and promote peace, reconciliation and economic development on our island LLG,” Schnaubelt emphasised.
Among many of the commitments for school and health infrastructure projects, is the construction of the island’s ring road which governor Schnaubelt said would cost K3 million per year.
Another notable commitment he made in honour of the legacy of late Governor Sir Julius Chan is the New Hanover Secondary School, K1million per year for school infrastructure redevelopment and fostering of agricultural activities within the school.
Governor Schnaubelt who is also the MP for Namatanai ended his electoral visit at the Taskul jetty where he was given the honour to cut the ribbon to officially open the Lovongai cocoa and copra shed buying point, thus committing K100,000 for the project.
The cocoa and copra shed buying point is the initiative of the Lovongai LLG president Mr Minkiong in collaboration with Department of Agriculture and Livestock which is administered by the LLG business arm, New Hanover Development Corporation Ltd.
Governor Schnaubelt also committed K2 million for infrastructure upgrade for rundown Taskul government station and further K1 million for Taskul police station.