WORLD Bank officials are in Buka this week to work with the...

WORLD Bank officials are in Buka this week to work with the Autonomous Bougainville Government on a number of projects.
Led by country director Nigel Roberts and his party, senior economist for poverty reduction and economic management for East Asia and Pacific Andriy Storozhuk were welcomed at the Buka Airport, by the acting chief administrator and the Bougainville administration.
In a press conference Mr Roberts highlighted the purpose of the two-day visit saying he was hopeful that with the ABG, they would hold “collaborative and vigorously interactive discussions”' on a number of proposed World Bank funded projects.
He said the World Bank was about to launch the projects along with the Autonomous Bougainville of Government.
These would be in the mining sector – to help ABG to develop “conflict-free”' mining.
The organisation is aware of the past problems and will try to avoid such catastrophic effects on humans and the environment, Mr Roberts said.
However, the ARB will have to be part of the program to oversee the whole operations including the Mining Act, Mining Safety Act and other respective regulations are complied with.
It is not of foreign interests said Mr Roberts.Other intended programs include:
* Stretim Ples program funded by World Bank Peace Fund to strengthen districts and local level governments in order for the local people to have access to national and provincial level provisional services;
* Public partnership in agriculture, to assist the cash crop economy;
* National education improvement program;
* Rural alternative energy sources;
* Rural telecommunication program;
* Road maintenance; and
* Justice for all; centred on youth and women issues currently underway in the nation’s capital and if successful may extend to other urban centres in support for the future of Bougainville.