Development Challenges

Deteriorating rural roads system taking a toll on health, education and agriculture. Papua New Guinea' low social indicators in health, education and agriculture are directly related to the dilapitated state of its rural road system.

Government focused on improving only 25% of the country's road, neglecting the rest which serves the bulk of the population and unless something was done to improve the rural roads, the peope living in those areas would continue to suffer.

Working for an NGO (ADRA-PNG) try to reach some of those rural communities is a nightmare and involves alot of risk.

The road to Morobe Governor's village in the Sarawaket range, Nawaeb District Morobe, Province, Papua New Guinea is totally in a mess, even the fourwheel drive can't make it as shown above. (On my way back from Buambok Village, Nabak LLG, Nawaeb District, Morobe Province, PNG)

Weekender in Madang

Enjoying the cool breeze at the famous Kalibobo
Lighthouse.

This van will take you to Paradise,

Taking a break next to the Ramu Nickel Pipeline

There is lot of development taking place along

Usino and Madang in the last 2 year

due to the Ramu Nickel Project. However, there is also

environmental concerns that needs to be addressed before its

late....

Pacific Microfinance Workshop - 2009

REPORT – Fiji Trip

Microfinance Pacific Workshop – 2009 - 13th to 17th July 2009
Radisson Resort, Denarau Island, Fiji

Participants

Meeting with Deputy Governor of PNG Central Bank
There are more than 200 participants, including representatives from international financials institutions, World Bank, UN, Donor representatives, Central Bank Governors from Pacific Island Countries, donor agencies, Microfinance Practitioners and Academics from UPNG and USP.

Networks
Chating with delegates from PNG

I had the opportunity to meet with some of the prominent bankers and leaders in the country such as, Deputy Governor of PNG Central Bank and Managers from the commercial banks, savings and loan societies, and insurances. Also had the opportunity to meet with the representatives from international financial institutions and donor representatives.

Issues or topics covered

- Micro – credit facilities in the Pacific
- Micro – Insurance policies for the Pacific Island countries
- Government Financial regulatory frames.
- Remittances
- Technology Innovations such as Mobile Banking…

Presentation

I was sheduled to do a presentation on the Future of Microfinance for the Pacific from a NGO perspective for 15 minutes but never enentuated and also in the panel for the general reflection on the workshop.

Lesson Learnt.

Many NGOs in Pacific Island countries have failed in their microfinance projects as par the report from the Governor – Reserve Bank of Fiji. However, it was high lighted that, NGOs do create enabling environment for Microfinance Industries in the Pacific.

Funding

The travel cost and accommodation were funded by AusAID through Foundation for International Development (FDC). Meals and Perdiems were taken care of by my self.
Donor Contribution = K12, 000 for Travel and accommodation
Project (AIGS)Contribution = K1, 500, meals and Perdiems.


Touring Denerau Island Resorts, Nadi Fiji.

Marabi Fish Farming Training

32 inland fish farmers from Gobari, Gobadik and Marabi were trained on Fish Pond Management for 4 days (July 27-30) by National Fisheries Authority, Inland Fish Farming Division and facilitated by ADRA RED Project. The training was basically to address the problems farmers have in managing their existing fish pond. The topics covered are, Survey, design and pond construction, fertilization, stock density, sex identification, breeding and disease prevention followed by practical sessions

Demonstration exercise

Separating Male and Female Fish