Investing in human capital development is a day-one priority for the Member for Samarai-Murua, Isi Henry Leonard who recently announced the allocation of K1.7million for Samarai-Murua students School Fee Program.
Since the roll-out of the program in 2018, they have paid out K9.7million for the School Fee Program for all students from the Samarai-Murua District alone in the Milne Bay Province.
“If you want to bring development, you must first and foremost empower your people.”
“You must train the next generation”
“They must be skilled, knowledgeable and equipped with the experience and knowledge that they will now use to bring development in the respective LLG’s and their wards.”
The MP said, they have partnered with Mama Bank to do advance payment of K1.7million for students whether residing in the district or living in other parts of the country.
Students who get accepted to attend the following institutions: Technical Colleges, Teachers Colleges, Nursing Colleges, University of Papua New Guinea, University of Goroka, Papua New Guinea University of Technology and Divine Ward University can apply for the Samarai-Murua School Fee Program.
Meanwhile, Mama Bank Chairman Noel Norikgu said, Milne Bay province has a lot of islands and it’s a challenge for many and are happy for this partnership.
“We are willing to partner with any one because we bring our service down to the rural population.”
And with the understanding of the remoteness of the place, the Member has taken the initiative to pay 100% of the school fees for all students who have the qualified GPA mark to be sponsored in the Samarai-Murua School Fee Program.
Leonard further elaborated that he has engaged with an institution in the Philippines to train technical expertise.
“That expertise that we don’t see in the country, we bring our students abroad to do short-term courses, ‘Blue Collar Training program’.”
“Whether it be under-sea welding, mechanics, marine engineers and even fitter-machinist.”