MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Following my visit this week to Bougainville I am pleased to announce the Australian
Government will provide up to $23.2 million to support five major projects to
help reinvigorate Bougainville's economy.
In April next year, Australia will help construct and rehabilitate two wharves.
A jetty, landing ramp, shed and weighing facilities will be built at Kangu Beach,
on the southern most point of the island, and Australia will help to improve
the wharf at Buka, the main town in Bougainville. Within two years, local producers
will be able to use the wharves to more efficiently export their cash crops,
and communities will be able to import essential goods unavailable on the island.
Another initiative I am pleased to announce is the rehabilitation of the coastal
trunk road from Kokopau in the north to Sovele in the south-west. This will
provide a vital link to previously isolated communities. Australia will continue
to work with the national and provincial authorities to maintain the road.
These infrastructure projects will complement Australia's support for agricultural
production, which is key to the island's future economic development.
Over the next three years, Australia will help approximately 30,000 families
earn a living from copra and cocoa by repairing 800 cocoa driers, 450 small
cocoa driers and 600 copra driers. The project will specifically help smallholder
growers and enhance economic opportunities for ex-combatants and women-headed
households. 250,000 tree seedlings will also be distributed around the province
to ensure a sustainable supply of firewood.
Another important initiative involves 3,000 ex-combatants who will be trained
in basic literacy, numeracy and other skills to help them gain employment.
I am also pleased to announce the extension of a micro-finance project that
will help local people become financially self-reliant.
Last year alone, Australia helped immunise 21,000 children against polio, 15,000
against measles and over 2000 mothers were vaccinated against tetanus. Australia
has also supported nutrition and mother and child health programs, and HIV/AIDS
will be addressed through the National HIV/AIDS Support Project.
These projects represent another stage in my commitment of $100 million over
five years to Bougainville's reconstruction and to assisting the people of Bougainville
to return to normal social and economic activities through targeted development
assistance.
Media Contacts:
Matt Francis (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 / 0419 206 890
Fionna Douglas (AusAID) 0412 804 489