BANK South Pacific (BSP) has maintained its efforts in providing the people of Manus with its banking services while also investing up to K275,000 into community projects.
Today BSP remains the only banking institution in Manus, one of 60 locations around PNG.
Over the years BSP has engaged in community projects primarily focused on education and schools.
“In fact for the past 10 years, BSP has delivered more than just banking. We have delivered four education-related projects valued at K100, 000 in Manus, a boost to not only learning but through personal development in sports,” said BSP Group General Manager – Retail, Daniel Faunt.
This K100,000 comes from the K275, 000 that has been put back into Manus through 12 community projects since 2009.
Mr Faunt named the refurbishment of the ECOM Secondary School Computer Laboratory and donation of computers and printers to the value of K30, 000, prior to the commencement of the 2021 academic year, as one of the four education-related projects.
“Also in 2018, we installed solar lights at Papitalai Secondary School, assisting students’ learning and especially with study lights during blackouts and earlier in 2015, we constructed three grand stands at Manus Secondary School’s soccer field, both valued at K25, 000 each.
“Nuwok SDA Primary School is another recipient of BSP’s Community Project in 2011 where we painted its Grade 8 classroom and installed a Tuffa Tank. The project was valued at K20,000,” Mr Faunt added.
These projects have enabled BSP to become more involved in the province and accumulate a customer base of over 24,000.
The BSP Lorengau Branch is currently the only bank serving Manus Province and its remote inland and outer islands, Mr Faunt remarked.
“Apart from the banking services, we also provide financial literacy awareness and account opening since the 1970s starting as an agent of PNG Banking Corporation.”
Mr Faunt described BSP’s contribution in terms of health, demonstrates the level of commitment and support BSP is providing to the people of Manus in their major development sectors.
“Health is the second biggest recipient of BSP’s Community Projects in Manus. The year 2020 also saw Hand Wash Stations being installed at three locations in Lorengau town – Pombrut Primary School, Lorengau Main Market and East Lorengau Clinic respectively for public to use to wash their hands regularly to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus.”
“Lorengau General Hospital’s outpatient waiting area was renovated in 2009, and again it was revisited in 2019 for maintenance works. In 2017, Lorengau East and West Clinics received donation of health equipment and furniture from the bank,” Mr Faunt added.
Apart from the community projects with the schools and health-related development initiatives, BSP has also supported the early Childhood learning through the Buk bilong Pikinini Library in Lorengau by funding programs such as basic literacy and numeracy development.