By WANPIS AKO
A fundraising dinner-hosted by the ruling PNC party for the earthquake relief-has raked in over K5 million in cash and pledges.
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| Parliamentary Leaders of the coalition government in company with PM O'Neill and his deputy Charles Abel during the occasion. |
In his address to the attendants at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby last Saturday night, Mr O’Neill described the relief efforts as excellent, thanking donor partners, corporate entities, business communities, NGOs, artists, the churches and individuals for standing by with their support.
The disaster hit Southern Highlands, Hela, Enga, Gulf and Western provinces in late February this year.
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| PM O'Neill greeting Nawaeb MP Kennedy Wenge |
The 7.5 magnitude earthquake brought the cash-strapped economy down to its knees as the destructions caused to properties were running into over half a billion Kina. More than hundred people were killed whilst unaccounted number of people have been hospitalized.
“The monies raised today will be given to those districts and we particularly want to rebuild some of the villages that have collapsed, resettle them to a new location so that our people can get back to their normal lives,” he told them.
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| Pangu Pati officials and members posing for a photo at the occasion. Pangu is the second biggest coalition partner in the O'Neill-Abel government of Papua New Guinea |
The turnout was overwhelming. Notably, the parliamentary leaders of the coalition parties in the government were in company of the Prime Minister to support the worthy cause.
They were the United Resources Party’s William Duma, Pangu Pati’s Sam Basil, People’s Progress Party’s Sir Julius Chan and Social Democratic Party’s Powes Parkop.
The parties pledged K50, 000 each towards the worthy cause.
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| Rigo MP Lewka Gure greeting PM O'Neill at the fundraiser |
He said their attendance showed the spirit of community where they continued to look after each other in ensuring that assistances were given to those who suffer in the five provinces.
“PNC, being the largest party in the government, we thought it was our obligation. In fact, it was supposed to be fundraising for the party, but we decided that on this occasion, we should help the communities that are suffering.
some other ministers and members of the parties were also present.
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| Nawaeb MP Kennedy Wenge and Rigo MP Lekwa Gure greeting PM's wife Linda |
The fundraiser was graced by international performers from China, Australia and Singapore – the Girls Crystal Band, Soul Mystique, Raffles Band, Samantha Clarke, Alyson Joyce and the magician Matt Hollywood.
Author Reference: Wanpis Ako has graduated from the University of Papua New Guinea with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism and Public Relations. He has briefly worked with two daily newspapers of Papua New Guinea-The National and Post Courier. His work experience has been extended into the Prime Minister Media Unit and the office of Parliamentary Opposition Leader of Papua New Guinea- not to mention the Ministries of Treasury, Higher Education, Communications, Information Technology and Energy. He has got over five years experience in digital marketing, branding, public affairs, media and public relations.
