1 day Ago By postcourieronline
DELEGATION from the World Bank is currently in Papua New Guinea for a two-week long Eight Support Mission (ISM) for the PNG Agriculture Commercialisation and Diversification (PACD) Project, running from November 10-25, 2024. The mission, led by Senior Agriculture Specialist Allan Oliver Balbal, focuses on the progress of key components of the project, including Agriculture Feeder Roads (Component 2) and Productive Partnerships (Component 3). The mission visited East New Britain (ENB), where the team met with the Cocoa Board and the PACD Project Management Unit (PMU), and inspected two key road projects: the 4-kilometre Ivon-Kulungere Road in Sinivit LLG, Pomio District, and the 3.
2-kilometre Vunapalading-Burit Road in Inland Baining LLG, Gazelle District. These roads are critical to improving market access for local farmers. The World Bank delegation also visited the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), where the mission coincided with the groundbreaking of the Teo-Buin Sipotavai Road in Tinputz.
Despite heavy rain on November 13, 2024, the event marked a significant milestone in the project’s development. According to Mr Balbal, the World Bank conducts these support missions twice a year, with this visit being focused on the Cocoa Component of the PACD Project. “These missions allow us to assess progress, address issues, and work toward solutions for the successful implementation of the project,” he said.
Representing the PNG government, Juanita Sundie, Principal Aid Coordinator from the Department of Planning and Monitoring, emphasised the importance of collaboration among stakeholders. “We need to ensure sustainability, especially with the loans supporting the project, and we’re working with the Cocoa Board for a smooth transition after completion,” Ms Sundie said.
