Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
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MP to Partner with OTDF for Service Delivery in Middle Fly District
In a recent meeting held to discuss collaboration and identify synergies, a Member of Parliament expressed interest to collaborate with the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) to deliver essential services in the Middle Fly District, with a specific focus on the CMCA Fly River Communities. The meeting also addressed other important topics, including proposed logistic support for disaster relief and the counter funding arrangement for the Fly River Communities in Middle Fly.
The session commenced with a meet-and-greet between OTDF Management and the Middle Fly District Member of Parliament Honourable Maso Hewabi and his first Secretary, Stanley Petrus, followed by a presentation by Mr. Eric Kuman, Executive Manager Program Services (EMPS), providing an overview of the organisation.
The MP and his first secretary were highly impressed by the work being undertaken by OTDF in the Fly River corridor. MP stated, “OTDF is a reputable organisation that our government intends to collaborate with to deliver services to the Middle Fly communities within the CMCA regions.” He acknowledged the challenges due to logistical costs and geographical constraints. However, the involvement of partners like OTDF will alleviate costs and enable both parties to achieve more for the communities. MP Hewabi expressed his determination to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OTDF, highlighting sectors of interest such as education, economic programs, fisheries, vanilla, and water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Additionally, the government member shared his plans for the newly established Middle Fly District and outlined the constraints and challenges faced by his government due to inconsistent District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) funding. The planned partnership with OTDF is seen as a means to address these challenges and effectively deliver much-needed services to the communities.
EMPS Eric Kuman, MF Member Hon. Maso Hewabi and his first Secretary, Stanley Petrus.
Responding to the discussions, OTDF EMPS Mr. Kuman, emphasised that according to the CMCA Agreement, the organisation’s operations are confined to the CMCA communities. However, Mr Kuman assured the meeting attendees that OTDF is willing to extend its support. OTDF expressed gratitude for the Middle Fly member’s willingness to collaborate with OTDF and looked forward to progressing the MOU.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with the commitment from both parties to work together to improve the lives of the Middle Fly communities. The partnership between the government and OTDF has the potential to bring about significant positive changes, addressing the challenges posed by logistical costs and geographic constraints. As plans move forward, the signed MOU will serve as a foundation for cooperation, allowing the parties to pool their resources and expertise for the betterment of the CMCA Fly River Communities in the Middle Fly District.
Vanilla Farming Revolution: Promoting Sustainability through Cultivation
Aerial view of the multi-million kina vanilla project at Samagos agriculture station in Kiunga, North Fly District of Western Province.
A commercial agricultural partnership to develop vanilla farming in Kiunga, North Fly District of Western Province was launched on Friday 30 June by the National Minister for Agriculture and government dignitaries.
Communities in Kiunga witnessed the momentous occasion, with the grand opening of a state-of-the-art Agro Industrial Centre (AIC), signalling a new era of prosperity for the region.
This AIC, focussed on vanilla production, is an outcome of the 2018 to 2021 Western Provincial Development plan’s agribusiness pillar. It promises to be a transformative force, offering the people of Western Province economic opportunities that will span generations.
Speaking at the event was vanilla farmer Mrs Aijela Jerry from Tapko village in North Fly. She encouraged growers to plant Vanilla. “Plant vanilla, the factory is here, what more can you ask for, the market is made possible. Plant, harvest and come and sell, that’s it.”
Vanilla farmer Mrs. Aijela Jerry
The official inauguration ceremony was held at the Samagos Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) station in Kiunga, where stakeholders and community members came together to celebrate the occasion.
The future lies in agriculture
Speaking at the event, the Member for North Fly, Honourable James Donald, passionately called upon the communities of Western Province to embrace vanilla farming as a means to generate sustainable income for all. He emphasised that while the Ok Tedi Mine has been an important contributor, the future lies in agriculture, and the North Fly and Western Province communities should seize this opportunity for sustainable progress.
Member for North Fly, Honourable James Donald
The Vanilla AIC was the result of collaboration by OTML, Innovative Agro Industries (IAI) and Fly River Provincial Government (FRPG) through WestAgro Holdings and the support of OTDF. Minister for Agriculture, Honorable Aiye Tambua, commended the stakeholders and encouraged everyone to continue cultivating their land. He emphasised that the national government is now fully committed to the growth of the agriculture sector within the country.
Minister for Agriculture, Honorable Aiye Tambua and stakeholders launch the AIC
The Fly Vanilla project, which reached completion in June 2023, is an impressive venture, featuring a nursery demonstration plot and 14 greenhouses spanning an area of 2 hectares, all equipped with approximately 17,000 vines, growing in controlled settings.
The high-intensive greenhouse conditions, are projected to yield over 20 metric tons of premium vanilla beans annually, generating around K18 million from 2026 onwards for shareholders and smallholder farmers. This will have a significant positive impact on the local and national economy.
The opening of Fly Vanilla in Kiunga is a beacon of hope for the people of Western Province. As they embark on this journey of agricultural growth, they are poised to unlock immense potential and a brighter and more prosperous future for all. The collaborative spirit that brought this vision to life demonstrates the power of teamwork in fostering sustainable development through agriculture.
Community learning centres launched in South Fly District
Mr Kuman OTDF EMPS (L) and Mrs. Pahe David (R) Kiwaba Women & Children’s Association President open the Samari CLC
Locals in Samari and Buria Island villages in the Kiwai rural local level government opened their new community learning centres (CLC) on May 15th and 16th respectively.
This achievement is part of the five-year development plan of Kiwaba Women and Children’s Association under the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) region in Western Province.
The funding for the CLC buildings were sourced from the ten percent (10%) of compensation allocated to women and children in Kiwaba region.
President of the association Pahe David said the learning centres will help youths, women and children to undergo different life skills training such as baking, sewing, leaders meeting among others.
The president encouraged her people to take care of the building to train all people for self-reliance post mine life.
Samari Community Learning Center
Deputy president of Fly Kiwai rural local level government Michael Enau acknowledged the development partners within Western Province for their continued support in serving the people in rural island villages.
He said women and children are important stakeholders in the community hence having such asset right in the village is important for development activities.
Mr. Enau stressed the Fly River Provincial Government must continue to work in partnership with OTDF to serve the people in Western Province.
OTDF Executive Manager Program Services Eric Kuman said these CLC’s would give opportunities for all people to participate in different life skills training to educate all for self-sustainability in the coming years.
The communities in Buria village, Samari village, Severemabu village, Pagona 2 village, Tapila Station, and Sialowa village witnessed the commissioning of their learning centers also. A total of 6 buildings, containing two bed rooms, office space, off-grid solar panels and lighting, conference room and on-site ablution block including huge tank to fetch water for cooking, drinking and washing.
The Sialowa Community Learning Center located on a hill top with a view
Each learning centres cost K250,000.00 considering the logistics for shipment from Kiunga to South Fly, materials, labor and geographical challenges.
OTDF in partnership with the eight CMCA Women & Children’s Associations has built 19 Community Learning Centers across the Western Province.
Who We Are
Each executive and board member, team and individual involved with OTDF is an essential part of achieving the goal of allowing the residents of Western Province to have greater choices in mapping out their own direction to live better lives.
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Executive Management
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Board Members
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Our Partners
What We Do
Operating independently of OTML since 2009, we are proud to have 50 full-time staff, 60 part-time staff, and committed volunteers throughout Western Province dedicated to ensuring our objectives and goals are aligned with those of the communities for which we serve.
To date, we have achieved significant outcomes across our investment portfolio and all five pillars of CMCA community development.
Economic Development
From inception as an independent organisation in 2010, OTDF has worked tirelessly with the CMCA communities to establish family and village-based economic and food production options.
Women's & Youth Development
Developing women and youth aspirations following the intensive consultative community engagement in the communities and mine villages.
Infrastructure Development
OTDF continues to focus on infrastructure delivery for communities to gain easier access to regional centres and government services, and to get produce to markets.
Community Health
The OTDF Strategic 5-year plan goal for the Health Sector is the CMCA primary health care service delivery strengthened and in line with the Western Province & National Health Plans.
Community Education
The OTDF Education Sector goals are to improve to quality education services, improve teacher education and training.
Our Communities
Western Province
North Fly District
Middle Fly District
South Fly District
Annual Reports
Our latest Annual Report is a comprehensive report of what OTDF has achieved and defines/outlines our ongoing priorities and goals going forward.
Newsletters
Each month, our OTDF media team creates a PDF newsletter that encapsulates the many activities and achievements by OTDF, partners and communities.
Contact Us
OTDF is committed to cooperation and integration of ideas from our community, therefore, we are always interested in what you have to say.