PEOPLE in Nakanai, West New Britain, affected by the Mt Ulawun volcano eruptions in 2019 and 2023 have been assured by the provincial government of plans to rebuild their lives.
Governor Sasindran Muthuvel said a recovery, rebuilding and resettlement programme was being led by the provincial disaster office to ensure the wellbeing of the 20,000-plus persons affected by the eruptions.
He urged community leaders to work with authorities in the province to come up with a money plan for the K10 million allocated by the Government for the people affected by the eruptions.
“Some funds have been used for operational expenses and we have to be careful with how we use what is left,”
“There is about K6.3 million still in the bank for the recovery programme so there must be a plan in place first before we can use it.
“There must be value for this money so we all have to work together to find permanent solutions and be prepared if there is another eruption.
“The provincial government will also support with additional funds if need be.”
Muthuvel made these remarks during a visit to the villages of Ulamona and Noau in the East Nakanai local level government last Sunday.
He also presented sawmills and chainsaws as part of the provincial government’s support for the local people to rebuild their lives.
“This was an unfortunate situation that happened and no one can expect you all to recover fully after the eruption.
“But we can all start working together now if we want to rebuild our lives.
“We must be prepared and have viable solutions so that we do not go through the same suffering again,” he said.
Provincial disaster office acting director Clement Bailey said he would work with the people on the ground to establish a committee to oversee the implementation of the plans.
He said work on the recovery, rebuilding and resettlement programme for the people in the affected areas would be completed by the end of the year.
“The committee will be responsible for work being done on the ground as we implement and work together on the plans we have,” he said.