PRESS RELEASE 24 November 2014
For immediate release
Milne Bay leads Southern Region in efforts to purchase new Ship
Milne Bay Governor, Hon. Titus Philemon, has lead the charge among Southern Region Governors to secure the new Training and Medical Ship for the Southern Region and Huon-Gulf by 4 December 2014.
Governor Philemon presented a cheque for K500,000 at a Gala Event hosted by YWAM Medical Ships PNG Patron, Sir Rabbie Namaliu on Friday night. The event was generously sponsored by InterOil Ltd.
Also representing the Province, the Milne Bay Governor was joined by Hon Charles Abel, Minister for National Planning and fellow Milne Bay MP, who made a further commitment for the National Government to contribute K1.5million toward the new vessel in 2015.
Minister Abel had already made a significant contribution by providing K4million of Church-State Partnership funds in late 2013, securing the deposit on the new Training and Medical Ship.
Morobe Governor, Hon. Kelly Kasiga Naru, and Western Governor, Hon. Ati Wobiro also made significant pledges, of K2 million and K1 million respectively, in capital funds toward the new vessel.
Sir Rabbie Namaliu spoke at the event of his passion to see the work of the YWAM Medical Ships continue with the much improved Ship, MV Ammari.
“This is indeed, not the cause of one organisation but rather a vital opportunity for PNG itself,” he stated.
He also shared about the pride he holds for the track record of the organisation.
“In the past year alone, the YWAM program and its volunteers have performed more than 100 eye surgeries, distributed over 3000 spectacles, given almost 10,000 immunisations and delivered more than a ton of essential medicines to hard to reach locations. This is just a selection of facts but you are getting the picture of a passionate group of people who are getting the job done!”
But Sir Rabbie also stressed the key role that partners, including in both the government and corporate sectors, play in development.
“Without the commitment, compassion, and enthusiasm of our YWAM volunteers we could not tell these stories of individual lives transformed. But this could also not happen without the incredible generosity of partners in both the government and corporate sectors gathered here tonight.”
Major corporate supporters of YWAM Medical Ships to date have included Steamships Trading Company, InterOil Ltd, PNG Ports Ltd and Curtain Bros. Sir Rabbie also acknowledged the range of table hosts and other donors who contributed to the Gala Event. In addition, the Governors of the Southern Region and Morobe, National Department of Health, Department of National Planning and Monitoring, Australian AID and media agencies, including EMTV and PNGFM, for support.
YWAM Medical Ships now has until 4 December to settle the contract on the MV Ammari. It is confident of securing the cash to do so, while awaiting outstanding pledged funds to be received in 2015.
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For further information or footage, please contact Dr. Sarah Dunn, 7283 7669, sarahd@ywamtownsville-org.staging.precedence.com.au
Article Courtesy of Post Courier PNG
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