PNG Motors representatives handed over the keys of a brand new Hyundai Mighty Dump Truck to representatives of the Mt Hagen Urban Youths United Volunteer Association this week at the headquarters of Western Highlands Province .
The truck will greatly assist the 4000 plus volunteer “army” in their mission to clean up Mt Hagen.
“The Association is a part of a changing trend in Western Highlands Province which is seeing people ‘doing it for themselves’ rather than sit back and wait for Governments to do it for them,” said PNG Motors Marketing Manager, Stephen Lane, at the handover. “We are proud to be associated with an organisation staffed by people with passion, drive and ambition – people who are prepared to stand up and make things happen instead of simply complaining”, he added.
The Right Hon. Paias Wingti, Governor of WHP was in attendance along with representatives of PNG Motors Mt Hagen branch – Tom Allen, Branch Manager and Sani Bona, Sales Executive for PNG Motors – as well as Christopher Philip, Provincial Minister for Youth, Women, Religion and Sport, members of the Association Executive and a group of enthusiastic and grateful volunteers who had decorated the truck for the handover.
The volunteer organisation is just a part of the Governor’s vision for Western Highlands Province to demonstrate to the nation what can be done when local people take ownership.
“Show us you can do it, demonstrate your passion, become engaged and we, the Government, will be there to assist”.
That approach has seen local communities build 28 high schools in the past 10 years, enrolments rise to 90% and plans for another 40 plus new schools as well as the delivery of Science Blocks, Libraries, Satellite access once communities complete construction.
Meanwhile members of the Association are hitting the streets of Mt Hagen to clean up the city and make it a welcoming place for visitors with the help of PNG Motors and Hyundai.