Mrs Regina Manda (L) receives her family’s house key from OTDF acting CEO Andrew Mari (R) with stakeholders looking on.
Five new permanent houses have been completed and officially handed over to Demesuke Village under the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) Wai Tri Trust, another major project delivery of sustainable housing for mine‑impacted communities in Western Province.
The handover ceremony was held on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, and was witnessed by beneficiary families, community members, and development partner Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) staff and executive management.
The project was funded through Demesuke Village Development Funds (VDF) under Wai Tri Development Trust. The total project worth at K770,000 , and approximately K154,000 invested in each home. The initiative aligns with CMCA compensation arrangements that prioritise long‑term, community‑owned infrastructure delivering lasting social and economic benefits.
Home owner Mrs Regina Manda Awongan expressed heartfelt gratitude upon receiving the keys.
“I am receiving the house keys on behalf of my sick husband and our children,” Mrs Manda said. “I sincerely thank OTDF and our VPC Chairman for selecting my family to be one of the five families to receive a permanent home. I am lost for words.”
“We are truly grateful, and we will take good care of what has been given to us.”
Demesuke Village Planning Committee Chairman Mr Brene Pwene acknowledged the challenges of delivering development projects to remote communities and reflected on the progress achieved.
“As VPC Chairman, I have seen how challenging it is to bring projects into our community,” Mr Pwene said. “But we have come this far. When we wanted a road project, it was delivered. When we requested housing, today we see these five homes. We also have our food security program, with the Community Seed Bank Centre now built and ready for use at our doorstep.”
He credited the progress to unity, participation, and strong partnerships, urging beneficiaries to care for the new assets.
“Under my leadership, these developments have become a reality. I urge my people of Demesuke to take care of these projects so they can benefit future generations.”
He thanked OTDF for its continued support and called for future inclusion under the Mine Life Extension.
“As we move into the new agreement under the eight‑year Mine Life Extension period, I request that Demesuke Village be considered a model village for the Wai Tri CMCA Region.”
OTDF Manager – Trust Administrator Mr Johanis Saferius described the project as a foundation for long‑term community development.
“This housing project is an economic anchor for Demesuke Village,” Mr. Saferius said. “These homes are not just shelter — they are platforms for self‑reliance and future opportunity.”
OTDF Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr Andrew Mari commended the Wai Tri Trust and the Demesuke community for their leadership and unity through the Village Planning Committee (VPC).
Mr. Mari emphasised that the effectiveness of leadership within any CMCA community is fundamentally strengthened by the level of support and engagement it receives from its people. He said that initiatives such as these exemplify the outcomes that can be achieved when community leaders and members align around a shared vision, a long-term development perspective, and a strong commitment to sustainability..
He further urged communities to embed sustainability when assessing the impact of current investments, challenging them to consider the legacy they intend to leave for future generations. He underscored that CMCA-funded housing and infrastructure should be safeguarded, properly maintained, and managed as sustainable, intergenerational assets that will continue to deliver social and economic value well beyond the life of the mine.
Mr. Mari also called on community leaders to develop and implement clear village development plans to guide the identification and prioritisation of projects that deliver meaningful and lasting benefits. He cautioned against the practice of nominating ad hoc initiatives, noting that such approaches often lack sustainability and fail to achieve long-term community impact. Designed in accordance with OTDF infrastructure principles, the homes support off‑grid living to suit the remoteness of Demesuke Village and similar CMCA communities. The houses provide safe, durable, and dignified accommodation, enabling families to live sustainably without reliance on external utility services. To date 19 houses have been built in North Fly.
