A total of K100, 000 from the East New Britain Provincial Government (ENBPG) annual budget will now be allocated to Organizational for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) starting next year 2024.
This is one of ENBPG’s obligations after a signed tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) took place between ENBPG, OISCA Japan and OISCA PNG Association Incorporation.
The MOA signed last month at the OISCA training center was witnessed by OISCA BOD Chairman Sinai Brown, Acting Provincial Administrator Levi Mano, OISCA international Representatives and the three stakeholder’s senior management team and members.
In this revised agreement the parties agree to jointly undertake establishment of cottage industry at OISCA Ecological and Technological (Eco-Tech) training Rabaul branch for processing specifically cocoa, peanut butter, rice and other food such as fruits and nuts.
In addition, wood products, textiles, tourism and identified potential markets for investments will also be established to provide training to farming communities.
According to the MOA document, some obligation of ENBPA includes assisting in programs on sustainable management to promote and develop institutional sustainable capacity of the institution.
The ENBPA’s commitment to improve livelihood of its people, has seen it allocated an annual budget of K100, 000 to the institution as well as provide K400, 000 through the Division of Agriculture and Livestock industry to manage and fund the establishment and operation of cocoa processing plant, rice development and packaging project.
Mano made mention that the province has been faced with one of the greatest challenge and that is with the youths and such initiatives like this will help stop them from doing illegal activities.
He said OISCA has been here revolving over time and running life skills training and now with this MOA, signifies OSICA to move onto another level.
“The spirit OISCA is promoting is good especially with the inclusion of spiritual capacity building and now with the ward focus, OISCA has become a center point in re-filling and re-developing our lives.”
“We want to maintain the bridge between OISCA and the government, the government will not do things on their own but need such stakeholders. This is the way forward and we will work together to implement this MOA.”
Furthermore, the MOA will also enable training and employment providing students in PNG to go and study or work in Japan, Australia and other developed countries.
While the original agreement is acceptable and remains as it is, the parties hereby agree to renew the agreement for three years, beginning this year through to 2026 for OISCA Eco Tech training center Rabaul branch to be the lead agency for cottage industry projects supported.