Bank South Pacific (BSP) has thanked the people and leadership of Imbonggu District in the Southern Highlands Province for providing a safe and welcoming environment for the establishment of its new sub-branch at the district headquarters in Walum.

Speaking during the official opening on Friday, BSP Highlands Region Area Manager John Tomba thanked the Imbonggu District Development Authority (DDA) for providing office space. He congratulated local Member of Parliament and Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Hon. Pila Niningi, on the milestone achievement, noting it was made possible through strong partnerships with local leaders and police on the ground.

"The peace and stability in Imbonggu gave BSP the confidence to make this vital investment," Mr. Tomba said, adding that the new facility will allow locals to easily open accounts and conduct basic transactions such as deposits and withdrawals.

Meanwhile, BSP Group General Manager Retail, Ronesh Dayal, stated that the Walum Sub-Branch is part of the bank’s broader Modernisation and Expansion Program aimed at reaching remote communities across Papua New Guinea.

"Aligned with our vision to 'Champion Prosperity for the South Pacific,' the Walum Sub-Branch will go beyond traditional over-the-counter transactions," Mr. Dayal said. "It will also offer digital banking services like Wantok Wallet, giving our people flexible access to modern financial services."

Welcoming BSP to the district on behalf of the Southern Highlands Provincial Government, Provincial Administrator David Kelma commended the bank for its ongoing community projects supporting the province's education and health sectors.

Mr. Kelma congratulated the Imbonggu DDA on the achievement and announced that the Provincial Government will allocate K500,000 in next year’s provincial budget to refurbish BSP staff houses in Mendi.

While praising public servants in Imbonggu for their hard work in delivering basic services, Mr. Kelma highlighted three pillars that drive district progress: the right mindset, the right leadership, and strong partnerships.

"Where there is the right mindset, people do the right things," Mr. Kelma said. "Peace is naturally maintained by good leadership, which in turn attracts vital partnerships from stakeholders and investors."