Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
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Local CMCA Trust Company signs second investment deal
OTDF CEO Mr. Vira (L) receives the keys from WTHL Chairman Mr. Neweng (R) looking on is company director Ms. Anna Koworot (middle) witnessed by OTDF management & staff.
A second MoA signed in Kiunga Western Province by Wai Tri Holdings Limited (WTHL) adds value to investment .
Chairman of WTHL Mr Martin Neweng expressed appreciation for the delivery of a vehicle. “It took a while to get the business off the ground, so it is a privilege for me as the Chairman to see this happen.”
The Toyota Land Cruiser is leased to OTDF for the next three years with OTDF to cater for operational and maintenance costs.
This ceremony held on on 28th October 2022 marks a new milestone for the company after purchasing real estate property in Port Moresby earlier this year.
Locals encouraged to invest
Trust Administrator Mr. Johanis Saferius addressing the company directors,invited guests, and OTDF Management
The Trust Administrator explained the agreement in detail and committed the Trust Administration team to support the local businesses in their ventures.
OTDF Executive Manager Corporate Services, Mr Renagi Koiro advised, “All investments are risks in themselves, choosing the right one is good but choosing the wrong one can be disastrous.”
WTHL was registered four years ago by the OTDF Business Development team as a regional company for Wai Tri communities. The concept was to start somewhere and expand.
OTDF CEO, Mr Havini Vira commended the board and management on the growth of the entity within the space of four years. He said: “it’s good to see the second investment signed with OTDF. OTDF will continue to support local investments. The challenge for WTHL board and management is to independently manage without OTDF support”.
Focus on community food security
Sapuka community celebrate first harvest of rice at site 1 , Zirugu, Suki Fly Gogo Trust region, South Fly
Sapuka Village Planning Committee (VPC) Chairman Mr. Keith Ani, welcomed OTDF management and staff to Sapuka rice project sites at Zirugu on 10 October.
He said his community have great interest and requested additional agricultural technical support from partners.
“We planted 1.5 hectares of rice in site 1 using manual labour and have so far harvested 500 kilograms of rice. The community are preparing another 1 hectare for planting in site 2, located near the Primary School,” he added.
VPC Ani said at the moment work is labour intensive and we ask for machinery support to increase the area farmed.
“70-year-old Jacob Kurga, the principal landowner of Zirugu where site one is located, was delighted to have the OTDF management team visit. He said: “I am happy for the rice trial to be on my land, I wish for more projects to be delivered here.”
OTDF Regional Development Team Leader Philemon Nahuet says the Food Security program complements the OTDF Strategic Business Plan 2021-2025 by engaging households in the CMCA from Middle and South Fly with rice seeds by establishing multiplication sites giving farmers more accessibility to seeds for planting.
The Centralised Seed Bank Centres (CSBC) will be strategically located in villages along the Fly River corridor. “At present Pukaduka 1 villagers have started planting rice while the leading South Fly village planting rice is Sapuka and Kawiapo who will process and pack their rice in their village after harvesting.”
OTDF supplied rice seeds to encourage farmers in the CMCA to engage in agriculture, starting with Sapuka.
An OTDF delegation visited the completed seed bank facility, which has 500 kilograms of rice seeds in storage. The facility was built by village builders under the supervision of OTDF infrastructure officer
Billy Iwora. The aim is to increase accessibility to seeds for planting on time and a venue for farmer training.
Centralised Seed Bank Centers provides accessibility
Seed bank at Sapuka village, Suki Fly Gogo Trust region, South Fly
The second CSBC will be established at Kawiapo village in the Manawete Trust region of South Fly. The community planted 1.5 hectares of rice early this year and is preparing to harvest. Meanwhile, Pukaduka 1 villagers out of interest started planting rice.
OTDF executive management team were impressed by the extent of the work done by the community. “Our focus is the smallholder farmers in our villages in the CMCA Trust regions. We must empower them with appropriate skills and knowledge to operate on their own without continuous OTDF support.”
OTDF CEO Havini Vira recognised the critical need to address the high dependence in CMCA villages on cash compensation from OTML.
Developing diversified income streams is essential for the future and empowering households to be food secure also can address income generation concerns.
Japanese Ambassador acknowledges work of OTDF in Western Province
Ambassador Watanabe given a sample of a Western Province A-grade dried vanilla bean by Innovative Agro Industry representative and Farm Manager Mr. Eitan Ribak.
The 2nd of November marks a special moment at Ok Tedi Development Foundation as the Japanese Head of Mission visited the OTDF head office.
The Japanese team led by his Excellency Ambassador Nobuyuki Watanabe made a courtesy call to OTDF Kiunga Office.
The visit was organised by Ok Tedi Mining Limited and accompanied by senior executives and managers from OTML Port Moresby and Tabubil offices.
Ambassador Watanabe received a warm welcome from OTDF Executive Management and staff with presentations of gifts and an overview of the company’s history and its role in the communities.
The Japanese Ambassador thanked OTDF for the welcome while saying, “I appreciate the work you do in the communities. I am very grateful to know this thank you very much for your kind contribution.”
The visit concluded with a visit to the Fly Vanilla Agro-Industrial Centre (AIC). The Ambassador and his official were privileged to be the first visitors to visit this monumental agri-business venture in Kiunga, Western Province.
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Renagi Koiro welcomed Ambassador Watanabe and the Economic Counsellor of the Japanese Embassy, Mr Satoshi Isono, and acknowledged the visit as the first to the organisation.
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.