PNG's New Ireland Governor Restores Lifeline for Elders and Disabled

Elderly citizens and people living with disabilities in Papua New Guinea's New Ireland Province are once again receiving government financial support, after Governor James Byron Chan restored a welfare scheme first introduced by his late father, Grand Chief Sir Julius Chan.

 PNG's New Ireland Governor Restores Lifeline for Elders and Disabled

The Old Age and Disability Pension had lapsed following the death of the former Prime Minister and long-time New Ireland leader, but has now been reinstated after Byron Chan secured the province's top seat in this year's by-election.

The scheme is designed to put money directly into the hands of elderly people and residents with disabilities who have little or no capacity to earn an income for themselves.

Governor Chan described the reinstatement as part of a broader promise he had made to the people of New Ireland, many of whom, he said, had spent their entire lives building up their families, their communities and the province itself.

He noted that older generations across New Ireland had shaped the province in countless ways, from raising children to holding communities together through decades of change.

The Governor also spoke about people living with disabilities, saying the pension was meant to ease the load on families who continue to look after them day to day.

He stressed that bringing the pension back had nothing to do with scoring political points or putting on a show, insisting it was simply about getting real support to people who needed it.

Payments have already started reaching beneficiaries across the province following an official launch held at Muliama Village in the Matalai Local Level Government area of Namatanai District over the weekend.

Speaking on why the elderly deserved the support, Governor Chan said it was only fair that their contribution be recognised, adding that they were "given their limited abilities now that age is catching up."