Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities

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Ok Tedi Development Foundation welcomes the fifth batch of Maritime Cadets

The Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) continues to champion education and capacity building in the Western Province, as it proudly awards Scholarships to the fifth batch of Maritime Cadets under the auspices of the Maritime Scholarship Program.

On Friday, 10^th January 2025, four students were awarded scholarships, marking the beginning of their training programs that will equip them with the knowledge and technical skills to thrive in the maritime industry.

The fifth batch of cadets, drawn from the (CMCA) communities are:

Rebecca Akurem- Engineer
Luksep Trah – Engineer
Naru Kimi – Deck
Lambert Domen – Deck

Andrew Mari (OTDF Acting CEO) presented the scholarships to the newly selected cadets at the OTDF office in Kiunga. Addressing the successful cadets and parents who were present during the presentation, Mari emphasised the foundation’s commitment to empowering young people through education and skills development.

“This program not only opens doors for our cadets to pursue careers in the maritime industry but also strengthens our partnership and the economic potential of our communities,” Mari stated. “We are proud to support these young men and women as they embark on this journey.”

The Maritime Cadetship Program, a flagship initiative under OTDF’s Community Education Services in partnership with P&O, is designed to develop the next generation of skilled professionals in the maritime sector. It offers a combination of theoretical and practical training, providing cadets with hands-on experience and internationally recognised qualifications.

L-R: Leon Waniang (Team Leader CES), Moses Kalup(Manager PSSD), Andrew Mari (A/CEO) and Sharmilla Kasi( Scholarships Officer)

Front Row,L-R: Nuru. Kimi(Deck), Rebecca Akurem(Engineer),Luksep Trah (Engineer) and Lembert Domen(Deck)

Manager PSSD Moses Kalup highlighted the transformative impact of the program. “This is not just an opportunity for individual growth but also a step forward for our CMCA communities. These cadets will one day bring their expertise back to our province, contributing to sustainable development,” he said.

Since 2013, OTDF’s Maritime Cadetship Program has successfully supported 16 cadets, many of whom now hold prominent roles in the maritime sector. This initiative underscores OTDF’s dedication to creating opportunities for youth and building a brighter future for the mine impacted areas of Western Province.

The newly commissioned cadets are set to begin their training at the Maritime College in Madang, paving the way for a rewarding career at sea.

OTDF Board Welcomes North Fly Associate Director

North Fly

The Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) Board has officially welcomed Mr. Nathan Samuel as its newest Associate Director following the completion of a formal appointment process.

Mr. Samuel joins the OTDF Board as the representative of the North Fly Trust regions, a significant milestone aimed at ensuring greater representation and input from regional stakeholders. A respected leader from the Tutuwe Trust region, Mr. Samuel brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role, which aligns with his longstanding commitment to community-driven development in the Western Province.

He said: “I have been playing leadership roles in the Tutuwe Trust and this is an added bonus to my leadership roles and I am humbled to be nominated and appointed to the OTDF Board as an Associate Director representing North Fly mine impacted communities, thank you for having that faith and trust in me”.

Mr. Samuel was the former Chairman of the CMCA Syndicate Advisory Committee. He currently serves as the lead delegate for the Tutuwe CMCA review working group, and the Chairman of Gii Village Planning Committee. His leadership on the CMCA (Community Mine Continuation Agreement) platform highlights his dedication to overseeing and driving initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to local communities. The appointment further strengthens the links between the OTDF and regional trust entities, ensuring the continued alignment of community needs and developmental goals.

The OTDF Board plays a pivotal role in providing leadership and governance whilst overseeing the Ok Tedi Development Foundation’s initiatives, which are designed to deliver sustainable development across the Western Province. The inclusion of representatives like Mr. Samuel reflects OTDF’s commitment to inclusive governance and participatory decision-making. It ensures that community trust representatives have a direct voice in guiding policies and projects that impact the region.

The formalisation of Mr. Samuel’s appointment follows a rigorous process aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability. His selection not only acknowledges his leadership qualities but also his deep understanding of the CMCA and the needs and priorities of the impacted communities.

Mr. Samuel’s leadership and wealth of experience positions him well to contribute meaningfully to the OTDF Board. The CMCA platform plays a crucial role in facilitating community participation in resource-driven development projects, and Mr. Samuel’s involvement has been integral in driving initiatives that prioritise sustainable outcomes.

The OTDF’s development agenda focuses on empowering local communities through a variety of projects in education, health, infrastructure, and livelihood programs. With the inclusion of Mr. Samuel, there is optimism that his contributions will further strengthen the Foundation’s efforts to meet the expectations of North Fly Trust beneficiaries and the broader Western Province.

The OTDF Board and its stakeholders extend their congratulations to Mr. Samuel on his appointment and look forward to his valuable input in advancing the Foundation’s mission. His leadership and representation will play a key role in ensuring that development projects remain responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.

Business News: OTDF Signs Motor Vehicle Lease Agreement with Tutuwe Tene Limited

Economic Development, North Fly

In a significant development for the Tutuwe Tene Limited (TTL), marking a strategic move towards expanding its operational capacity signed a lease agreement with Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF), for the use of a motor vehicle Twin Steer Side Lifter truck.

Under the terms of the lease agreement, OTDF, acting as the lessee, will lease this motor vehicle identified by registration number BGX 393.

The vehicle, initially purchased through a counter funding initiative supported by Tutuwe Women Investment Limited (TWIL), will be used by OTDF’s Program Services Operations (PSO) department. This partnership stems from a shared commitment between TTL and TWIL to jointly benefit from the agreement, with both parties agreeing to a defined profit-sharing arrangement based on the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

The lease agreement specifies the vehicle be leased for a term of three years, starting on December 14, 2024. OTDF will be required to pay a monthly rental fee of K30,000.00 for the duration of the lease.

The chairman of Tutuwe Tene Limited, Mr. Nathan Samuel, and the chairlady of Tutuwe Women Investment Limited, Ms. Catherine Puse, expressed confidence that this partnership will strengthen both parties’ business operations and contribute to the broader economic development goals in the region.

This agreement reflects the ongoing efforts of OTDF to secure essential resources and improve its service delivery, while also supporting local business ventures in line with the foundation’s mission to drive sustainable development.

Former OTDF Chief Executive Officer Havini Vira said the signing of the lease agreement is seen as a promising step forward in fostering collaboration between local enterprises, with both parties anticipating long-term benefits from the arrangement.

Tutuwe Teine Executives handover keys to CEO, Mr. Havini Vira during the lease signing

“A decision was made by management that no more vehicles would be purchased by OTDF but rather leased from Land Owner Companies associated with the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) arrangement and companies with capacity compliant to OTML and international standards of safety.” Vira added.

As OTDF moves forward with this new agreement, the relationship between the two entities is prepared to create mutually beneficial outcomes, enhancing operational efficiencies and contributing to the growth of local businesses.