John Davidson and Associates (JDA) and Wokman, its partner company in Papua New Guinea (PNG), recently hosted a cocktail party and dinner in honour of Mr Moses Koiri, a senior minister in the Government of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in PNG.

The function was held at the PNG Consulate and attended by over 40 people. Guests included PNG’s Consul General Mr Paul Nerau and representatives from a number of Australian businesses that had operated from Bougainville before the uprising of 1990 or are interested in investing in the future.

Mr Koiri spoke at the gathering about the challenges of rebuilding after the ravages of civil war. He said his Government’s initial focus would concern restoring public confidence by delivering services and infrastructure to the people of Bougainville. Roads and bridges need to be repaired, schools need to be reopened and many in the community need access to basics like clean drinking water. Mr Kiori recognised the enormity of the tasks ahead and the need to restore investor confidence in Bougainville. He also outlined his government’s almost total dependence on the PNG government and others for fund allocation and highlighted the need to accelerate revenue raising to support basic government operations.

JDA’s Executive General Manager Scott Roberts thanked Mr Kori for his speech and said that he hoped JDA and Wokman could assist the government in its efforts to rebuild. Mr Roberts said “JDA has a strong connection to Bougainville and its people. Many of our staff and contractors have worked and lived in the region and we would be honoured to contribute to rebuilding and business initiatives” said Mr Roberts.