BUSIBA COOPERATIVE FIRST RECIPIENT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM MAMA BANK

By Angeline KARIUS, Bougainville

BUSIBA Cooperative made up of local cocoa farmers including women in Buin, Siwai and Bana were proud recipients of receiving the financial assistance from Mama Bank according to one of director’s Chris Nawa.

Nawa on behalf of board of directors of Busiba thanked the board and staff of Mama Bank Headquarters in Port Moresby, Chief Executive Officer Gunannidhi Dash and Chairman Noel Noringku who were in Bougainville recenly to witness the official launch of Mama Bank branch in Buka Town.

He also made special mention to the vision and support from Regional Member of Parliament Hon Peter Tsiamalili Junior and North Bougainville MP Hon Francesca Semoso who had extended an arm to answer the cry of people of South Bougainville and for making this assistance possible.

Nawa also acknowledged the Pangu led Marape Rosso government for the foresight to assist the people of Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

“We had nothing, our account was zero balance but thank you to Mama Bank for lending K3 million into the company.

“Busiba is a Bougainvillean company and business entity run by Bougainvilleans who are board of directors,” he added.

Nawa also thanked the chairman of South Bougainville District Development Authority and Member for South Bougainville and Minister for NICTA Hon Timothy Masiu for guaranteeing the loan.

“The Cooperative also shares similar vision as women are part and partial of the business arm. The people at home do not like to talk about big things however, like to feel services on the ground,” he added.

Nawa further stated the land and 73 hectares of cocoa trees were evidence, the Chairman Mr Noringku had witnessed personally which he needed to see in order to approve and aid the first biggest amount of loan to the Cooperative