Residents of Kwiroknai Village have welcomed a major boost to mobility and access to essential services following the handover of a 26 Seat Coaster Bus to the community on Tuesday, 16 December 2025. The vehicle was officially received by the Chairman Nowa Dem of Kwiroknai Village Planning Committee (VPC).
Speaking on behalf of the community, Mr Dem described the bus as a lifeline that will significantly improve daily life in the village.
“I wish to thank the Trust Administration for following through on the villages’ request to have a community bus purchased from the Village Development Funds (VDF).
“This bus will help our people travel safely and with certainty,” he said. “Our mothers will no longer have to wait by the roadside in bad weather, our children can attend school activities more easily, and those who are sick can reach health services without delay.”
The bus was formally presented to the community by Mr Raphael Nali, Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) Finance Manager and Acting Executive Manager Corporate Services (EMCS), during a handover ceremony attended by community leaders and OTDF staff.
In presenting the bus, Mr Nali encouraged the community to see the vehicle not only as a transport solution but also as an opportunity to create sustainable income. He urged the VPC to manage the asset responsibly and explore income-generating uses to support its ongoing maintenance.
Mr. Nali said: “This bus belongs to the community, use it wisely, it can generate income to cover fuel, servicing and repairs, ensuring it continues to benefit the people of Kwiroknai in the long term. I encourage the VPC to manage it properly and purchase a new one and fleet of buses in many years to come.”
OTDF Regional Development Coordinator for North Fly, Mr Andrew Baine, also addressed the gathering and apologised to the community for delays experienced in receiving the bus. He explained that documentation processes and shipment of such assets often take time and are factors beyond OTDF’s direct control.
“We understand the community’s expectations,” Mr Baine said. “While delays can be frustrating, processes such as documentation and shipment are necessary and sometimes unavoidable. We appreciate your patience and thank you for your continued cooperation.”
The VPC Chairman confirmed the bus will be managed under the VPC framework to ensure transparency, accountability and fair access. Priority use will be given to medical emergencies, school and church activities, and essential travel to government offices, while commercial use will help sustain upkeep costs.
As the Coaster Bus begins operation, Kwiroknai Village looks forward to improved access to services, stronger social and economic connections, and new opportunities that support health, education and law and order across the North Fly District.
