The University of Goroka (UOG) is yet to receive its share of funding of K8 million committed by the Government following the conflict in June 2016 which led to the suspension of classes.
As per the National Executive Council decision in 2016, the total recovery cost for the three public universities that were affected by conflict and protest in 2016 was about K63 million.
In the breakup, the PNG University of Technology was allocated K40m, University of PNG K12m, Office of Higher Education K3m and UOG K8.
So far, UPNG and Unitech have received some of the funding however UOG is yet to receive its K8m.
UOG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Musawe Sinebare and Chancellor Joseph Sukwianomb are in Port Moresby to follow up on the government’s commitment.
Sukwianomb said they met with treasury today and received a positive response.
He said the Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari has expressed his support in writing to the Secretary for Treasury and they’re now facilitating that.
“Despite not receiving the K8m funds, we have not been threatening to go on strike or close doors for students.
“We commenced the 2017 Academic Year on time and are now in the middle of first semester.
“Discussions are ongoing to have K5m out of the K8m released to the university,” Sukwianomb said.
In the K5m breakup, K1m will be used to purchase laptops for the first year students, K1m for the library, K2m will go towards facility maintenance throughout campus and another K1m to pay security who worked during the conflict.
Sukwianomb said they’re confident that the government will come good with its promise to provide the funding.
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