The UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Nicholas Booth’s, mission to Enga Province continued yesterday with a meeting with provincial authorities and a visit to a coffee nursery ran by the Wabag District Coffee Growers Cooperative Society, which was established last year with the support of the European Union -funded UNDP Enga Landscape Project.

The Resident Representative’s day began at the Take Anda Museum in Wabag, where met with the Deputy Provincial Administrator of Enga Province, Mr. Raphael Tamaen and other high-level representatives of the Enga Provincial Government. Together, the participants discussed ideas to strengthen Enga’s sustainable green economy, devised ways to improve the access of local businesses to new markets, and the need to build peace in the province through enhanced and more dignified livelihood opportunities.

“Our Province has undergone several hardships recently and it is a testament to UNDP’s commitment to helping the people of Enga that you are visiting us during this time. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts to empower our resilient people, build our green economy and realize our dreams of a better future,” Mr. Tamaen stated to the Resident Representative.

During his visit to the Wabag District Coffee Growers Cooperative Society in Birip village, Mr. Booth engaged with the UNDP-supported coffee farmers and observed them conducting their first harvest since the establishment of the nursery. The local community members thanked Mr. Booth for the stability the initiative has brought to the district by providing young men a channel to engage in productive activities for the community.

“Enga has a lot to offer to Papua New Guinea and the world. I am convinced that with the help of UNDP, we will see a day when Enga will be processing its own coffee and selling it to customers worldwide. For us to achieve that, we must ensure security and jobs to our women and youth, because without that we will not have peace in our province,” the Chairperson of the Wabag District Coffee Growers Cooperative Society, Mr. Kandes Niya said to Mr. Booth during a community meeting.