Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah has committed K1 million for an SME loan scheme to support youths in the district.
The youths had undergone financial literacy and associated trainings.
The lending assistance will cover youths in cocoa, farming, fisheries, oil palm, informal market, tourism… etc.
Namah is also the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture.
He made the commitment last Thursday at the Vanimo Secondary School where the district’s youth engagement initiative was launched.
The event was witnessed by the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Religion Jason Peter, Sandaun Provincial Administrator Jacob Areman, Director-General for National Youth Development (NYDA) Joe Itaki, public servants, students, parents and Vanimo-Green DDA representatives.
Speaking during the occasion, Mr. Namah said NYDA is a government agency which is under-funded by governments despite being the national driver of youth engagement and development in the country.
Thus, he said, his Vanimo-Green DDA has partnered with NYDA and other partners to engage youths in positive pathways that contribute meaningfully to their communities.
The launch was not just an ordinary event but the district’s implementation of the national framework for youth development in National Youth Development Strategy 2025 to 2029.
Mr. Namah continued that NYDA will process application as a pre-requisite before the bank loan dispatchment.
Minister Peter said it is not just a launch but opening doors to leadership, skills development, community participation and realizing of dreams.
Mr. Itaki said the National Youth Engagement Strategy’s online youth registration system would serve as the main entry point for young entrepreneurs seeking loans under the partnership.
“NYDA and Vanimo Green DDA will identify applicants through this system and maintain engagement with them as they venture into the SME sector.”
“It will not be like other loan schemes where recipients receive a one-off payment and disappear. “
“Under this partnership, guidance and mentorship throughout the process will be key because we want them to grow their businesses.”
“Through the online system, we will know who is doing what and measure their progress in a timely manner,” Mr. Itaki said.
“The DDA and NYDA in partnership with Mama bank will track and offer coaching in areas of weakness…our ultimate aim is to see them progress with business with the SME loan that we facilitate under this scheme.
The first batch of loan applications, he said, will be assessed next month.
“With such tripartite arrangement, accountability and governance are upheld highly in the process so that the scheme is tightly managed to empower the unfortunate people in the electorate fairly. This reflects the notion of ‘leaving no one behind’.”