The Mendo Mendo Community Association has been launched in a bid to cement peace and drive development in a once-troubled part of the Southern Highlands.
The new body unites six previously warring council wards from the Upper Mendi Local Level Government area.
Association Chairman, Mr Tracey Noah, stated the group was formed to open a clear pathway for service delivery in the remote Mendo Mendo area of Mendi Munihu District.
In a significant show of support, the Southern Highlands Provincial Government committed K500,000 to the association.
The commitment was announced by Deputy Provincial Administrator, Dr Emmanuel Kumpio Andrew, who represented Governor William Powi and the provincial administration at the launch.
“The provincial government is your government and we will always be here to support and empower communities,” Dr Andrew said.
“Not everything can be changed overnight, but if we see one or two changes, that is the change we want. We will continue to support health, education and community development.”
Dr Andrew said the government, under the leadership of Governor Powi and Acting Provincial Administrator David Kelma, sees the association as a perfect fit for its ongoing advocacy for peace.
He added that the provincial government continues to work with the Mendi Munihu District Development Authority to deliver new schools for the district.
Dr Andrew said the funding is part of the provincial government’s public-private partnership initiatives for the association to start of with its community based initiatives like health care, SME and Education.
The Mendi Munihu local MP and Vice Minister for State Owned Enterprises Hon Raphael Tonpi has also committed K50, 000 and funding for building new high school and a community footbridge.