The Jiwaka Provincial Government had signed an agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Office of Projects Services (UNOPS) recently in Port Moresby to improve service delivery in Jiwaka Province.
The MoU lays the foundation for greater cooperation between UNOPS and Jiwaka Province, in the areas of infrastructure development, project management and support for procurement of essential goods and services to strengthen vital service delivery throughout the Province.
This will enable economic and social development opportunities for the people of Jiwaka. Focus will be placed on capacity development and opportunities for Jiwaka Provincial residents, targeting opportunities for youth, women and vulnerable members of the communities.
The newly elected Governor of the province Hon. Simon Kaiwi highlighted the importance of the agreement singed.
“As Governor, I have prioritized my development focus on infrastructure, health and education, law and order and wealth creation. This MoU with UNOPS will enable us to develop a strong partnership into the future to implement significant projects needed by the province,” Kaiwi said.
“Jiwaka is a new province and important foundational work is required in provincial physical planning, development planning, structural engineering, and sustainable infrastructure, I will give undivided support to work together with UNOPS to deliver the projects needed in Jiwaka,” he said.
United Nations Office of Projects Services Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Sanjay Mathur said UNOPS is working with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to increase access to, and the utilization of safe, adequate, and sustainable water supply, sanitation, and improved hygiene practices in the provincial township of Banz.
The four year program aims to improve the quality of life of communities by improving access to safe water and improved sanitation services in the town’s communal facilities focusing on schools, health care facilities and markets.
“UNOPS support to Papua New Guinea had focused on bringing renewable energy and electrification to rural communities, strengthening the capacity of government partners to deliver healthcare services, and establishing access to safe and hygienic water supplies,” Mathur said.
“Today, signals a strengthening of our partnership with the Jiwaka Provincial Government. UNOPS is glad to increase our cooperation and we look forward to building the future outlined in Vision 2050; that of a healthier, happier and more prosperous Papua New Guinea,” he added.
He further stated that UNOPS is committed to supporting countries in developing their capacity and resource-base to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
