JICA CHIEF REP REFLECTS ON 51 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP WITH PNG

By Nigel MADO

Aside from Japan celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations with Papua New Guinea, the Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] will also be celebrating 51 years of development partnership, a relationship going back to prior to the country’s independence.

JICA’s Chief Representative, Matsuoka Hideaki in a candid interview the FM100 Newsroom stated that in October last year they held a celebration to commemorate this partnership with core members of the PNG govt. cabinet, including Prime Minister James Marape.

He said PNG and JICA [Then Official Development Assistance] have come a long way since the establishment of the country and reflected on the strong partnership that the agency has forged with the Govt and people of PNG.

Matsuoka-San stated that JICA has been an integral development partner to the country, working to enhance the 3 pillars of development; Infrastructure and strengthening economic growth, improvement of social services & Environmental & climate change protection.

So far, JICA has been providing technical and resource assistance in a number of ongoing projects, including supporting Hydropower infrastructure such as the Ramu 2 Hydro Power station, water restoration projects and the refurbishment of Nadzab Tomodachi Airport in Morobe province.

In terms of improvement in social services, they continue to work with the National Department of Health to advance health care in the country, and recently worked with the National Department of Education to develop math and science textbooks for primary education.

He said these are just examples of how much this partnership has endured and benefitted the people of Papua New Guinea.

As far as human to human to interaction goes, more than 800 Japanese personnel have travelled and been part of JICA’s ongoing volunteer program in PNG and 5000 PNG Government officials have been trained in Japan to learn skills and technologies in various sectors.

He also said that Papua New Guinea is a very important country as a friend of Japan and this is why JICA has been working in this country to keep the good relationship between both countries.