EU supports construction of DAL training complex

The construction of a K2.3 million Department of Agriculture Livestock Office and Training Complex will commence this week after the launch of the project yesterday.

The modern state-of-the-art facility is funded by the European Union's Support to Rural Entrepreneurship Investment and Trade in Papua New Guinea, EU STREIT PNG Program.

EU STREIT PNG Coordinator Ali Yesuf said the training complex, once completed, will enable not only the Sepik Region but the Momase Region to deliver vital agriculture and livestock training programs using state-of-the-art facilities.

"Once completed, the complex will be hosting a capacity of 80 individuals, but there will be several smaller rooms to cater for smaller discussions. The building will also host specialized functions such as NAQIA and DAL. The design was drawn with close consultation with various agencies to cater to specialized functions," said Mr Yesuf.

European Union Ambassador to PNG His Excellency Jacques Fradin, who was there to officiate the launching, says the facility is a gift as he urged the provincial DAL and other stakeholders who will be using the facility make good use of it.

"We give you the tool to export the legacy of STREIT, and this is one of the most powerful of them, because from here, you can get any remote region of PNG to make exchanges and discussions and mentoring".

"As PNG is celebrating its 50 years this year, this is a positive sign from the European Union," said Ambassador Fradin.

Meanwhile, DAL Secretary Dr Sergie Bang commended the European Union and its partners for the effort in supporting the expansion of cocoa and vanilla in the Sepik Region.

Dr Bang says that compared to other donor and nationally funded programs, the EU STREIT PNG Program has done exceptionally well with an accomplishment of over 75 per cent as he thanked everyone involved in delivering the program.