Border Development Authority celebrates second anniversary with new website

By MALUM NALU

Treasurer Peter O’Neill (left) and BDA executive chairman Pomat Manuai watch a projected version of the new website.-Picture by MALUM NALU

Treasurer Peter O’Neill says the Border Development Authority (BDA) is working towards increasing economic activities in the long-neglected border provinces.
He said this at a function last Thursday  to celebrate BDA’s second year in existence, launch of its new website http://www.bda.gov.pg/ ,  and the screening of a television documentary on the launching of BDA’s new vessel mv Manus Atolls.
O’Neill said BDA was working towards increasing economic activities in border provinces, and complementing the work of existing government agencies to improve the lives of rural people.
“These are the people we have ignored for the last 30-odd years,” he said.
“I see that the Border Development Authority is working towards achieving that goal.”
The BDA was established by an Act of Parliament in August 2008.
Provinces covered by the act are West Sepik, Western, Manus, New Ireland, Milne Bay and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The BDA was officially launched on March 3, 2009, at the Ela Beach Hotel in Port Moresby.
The inauguration ceremony coincided with the appointment and swearing-in of board members followed by the first board meeting.
The main responsibility of the BDA is to improve the lives of people living in the border provinces of Papua New Guinea by coordinating and implementing economic, social, and security projects and infrastructures.