K1m to engage 574 New Ireland youths in economic sector

National Youth Development Authority director general Joe Itaki (second left) with members of the New Ireland provincial administration during the signing of the National Youth Engagement Strategy in Kavieng *(Image: NBC News)*

A total of 574 registered youths in New Ireland province will soon commence active participation in the primary industry and economic sectors following a landmark agreement signed in Kavieng.

The engagement comes after the official signing of a strategic partnership agreement aimed at empowering young people across the Kavieng Urban, Tikana, and Namatanai Rural local-level governments [LLGs].

The three areas serve as pilot sites for the rollout of the National Youth Engagement Strategy 2025–2029 in the province.

To kick-start the program, the New Ireland Provincial Administration has committed K1 million directly towards youth activities across the three pilot LLGs.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, National Youth Development Authority [NYDA] Director-General Joe Itaki commended the New Ireland Provincial Executive Council [PEC] for taking decisive action.

“The New Ireland PEC has walked the talk by committing actual resources to implement this youth engagement program,” Itaki said.

He said New Ireland is the first province in the country to back the national strategy with direct financial support.

NYDA director Joe Itaki addressing New Ireland provincial government and youths in Kavieng *(Image: NBC News)*

The partnership framework formally opens avenues for key stakeholders including commodity boards, fisheries agencies, primary industry bodies, and churches, to integrate youth cohorts into local economic operations.

Itaki urged all partner agencies to translate the provincial government’s vision into actionable outcomes within their respective sectors.

He extended appreciation to key commodity partners who signed the agreement, including the Oil Palm Industry Corporation [OPIC], Kokonas Indastri Koporeshen [KIK], and the Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea.

Highlighting the practical benefits of youth labor integration, Itaki cited recent performance figures from OPIC. Prior to introducing youth engagement initiatives, monthly production stood at 1,000 tonnes. Following the engagement of local youths, monthly output doubled to 2,000 tonnes.

NYDA field teams will continue working on the ground to expand youth registration into the remaining seven LLGs, with the target of covering all 10 LLGs in New Ireland by the end of this year.

Stakeholders emphasize that the success of this pilot will set the benchmark for addressing youth unemployment both in New Ireland and across Papua New Guinea.

Official witnesses at the signing included Mr. Itaki, CEO for Social Services Benson Apelis [representing the provincial administrator], KIK manager Roland Sambai, Cocoa Board coordinator Wesley Kilang, OPIC representative Alex Keri, alongside District Administrators from both Kavieng and Namatanai.