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

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Five homes delivered to Demesuke village under Wai Tri Trust

Economic Development, Infrastructure Development, North Fly

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.

Tutuwe Women Investment Limited secures two properties in Daru for PGK 1.5 Million

Economic Development, North Fly, Women & Youth Development

Property owners and development partners in front of the property purchased by the Tutuwe Women Investment LTD on 4^th March in Daru.

Tutuwe Women Investment Limited (TWIL) secured two investment properties in Daru, Western Province—representing a milestone for women and children in the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) Trust communities. The Contract of Sale was executed between and vendor and purchaser on 4 March 2026 in Daru, witnessed by key stakeholders including the Kuria Lawyers. This marks a significant step in strengthening women-led economic empowerment in the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) region.

This achievement is made possible through the 10 percent Women and Children Benefit provided by Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) as part of its ongoing social commitments to mine-impacted communities. The acquisition strengthens TWIL’s long-term investment strategy of building sustainable income sources for community-driven development programs, future investment undertakings, and broader socio-economic participation for women and children.

TWIL President Ms. Catherine Purse emphasised the lasting value of the investment.
“These investments are for our future generations. We may not see the fruit today, but we know they are secured with something. Many would ask why invest in Daru—this investment will have an impact on our people in the long run, giving them assurance that we are investing back in our own province to improve income generation. Daru is our provincial capital, and we want to show that what we preach, we do.”

According to the 2024 PNG Residential Real Estate Survey, property demand remains strong nationwide as both rental and sales markets continue to stabilize and grow following years of economic recovery. The survey notes buyers and investors increasingly view real estate as a profitable and secure class assets due to rising urbanization and the enduring need for residential and commercial spaces.

Growth is driven by factors such as rural‑to‑urban migration, improving infrastructure, and increasing investor confidence. These forces continue to create sustained demand for property across major and secondary towns.

For regional centers like Daru, this trend is especially relevant. With Western Province implementing its 2023–2027 Integrated Development Plan, infrastructure development, government services, and strategic economic initiatives are being strengthened, positioning Daru as an emerging regional investment hub.

These market dynamics reinforce TWIL’s strategic decision to invest in real estate—an asset class known for capital appreciation, reliable rental income, and long‑term stability.

The signing of the Contract of Sale and transfer of property titles was witnessed by Principal Lawyer Andrew Kuria of Kuria Lawyers, General Manager Danny Chen of Nexus Real Estate (NCID), TWIL company directors, and OTDF management and staff. The OTDF Business Development team facilitated the entire process, providing administrative and technical support throughout.

Trust Administrator Mr. Johanis Saferius congratulated TWIL, describing the achievement as “a huge milestone for CMCA women‑led companies,” particularly as this marks TWIL’s first major property acquisition within their home province.

OTDF Acting CEO, Mr. Andrew Mari, commended the women for their strategic leadership and acknowledged their important role in driving inclusive economic development. He encouraged them to continue taking ownership of emerging economic opportunities, noting that investment in real estate is a prudent and strategic pathway for long-term financial security.

Mr. Mari emphasized that property investment offers dual benefits through capital appreciation in property value and consistent monthly rental income. He further highlighted that, in the context of the ongoing depreciation of the Kina, investing in real estate is an important strategy for safeguarding wealth and building sustainable financial resilience for families and communities. The ceremony concluded with the official signing and a guided tour of the newly acquired properties purchased at a total cost of K1.5 million.

Wai Tri Holdings through OTDF purchase Kiunga property

Economic Development, North Fly

Property owners Wai Tri Holdings Limited Chairman Martin Neweng (R) receives the keys to the duplex house from contractor Derian Limited Director Gwapit Manga (L), with stakeholders and partners looking on.

Wai Tri Holdings Limited, together with the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF), formalised the signing of the Contract of Sale and completed the Title Transfer for a newly constructed duplex property on Cook Street in Kiunga. The occasion brought together representatives from OTDF, Wai Tri Holdings LTD, Derian LTD, and other key stakeholders to mark an important step in strengthening long‑term investment opportunities for the Wai Tri Trust and its beneficiaries.

Mr. Gwapit Manga, Director and Representative of Derian Ltd, officially welcomed the delegations and expressed sincere appreciation to the Wai Tri Holdings Board for their commitment to securing the property. He acknowledged the dedicated efforts of the Derian Ltd construction team, who worked tirelessly to complete the duplex, and extended special thanks to Okau Electrical Contractor for their excellent work on the electrical installation. Mr. Manga noted that the successful completion of the contract and title transfer ceremony was the result of extensive discussions and coordination facilitated by the OTDF Business Development Team.

OTDF Trust Administration Manager, Mr. Johanis Saferius, reiterated the significance of the acquisition, describing it as a meaningful addition to Wai Tri Holdings’ growing portfolio. “This is the second property acquired by the company I note that the first investment in Port Moresby is already fully tenanted and performing well, reflecting the Board’s clear investment vision. Mr. Saferius expressed gratitude to all partners involved and said he looked forward to seeing the duplex generate sustainable benefits for the Wai Tri Holdings LTD and its stakeholders.

Acting OTDF CEO, Mr Andrew Mari, underscored the strategic significance of the acquisition in light of the recently approved life extension of the Ok Tedi Mine, which secures a further eight years of operational certainty and investment recovery opportunity. He said that this extension provides a critical window for the CMCA entities to strengthen their asset base and enhance long-term financial performance.

Mr Mari emphasised the importance of diversification, observing that a substantial portion of the current investments remain directly or indirectly linked to Ok Tedi operations. He stated that pursuing a broader investment portfolio, both within and beyond Western Province will be essential to strengthening long-term financial resilience and sustainability.

At the same time, he reaffirmed OTDF’s commitment to reinvesting in key centres such as Kiunga and Daru to stimulate local enterprise development, create employment opportunities, and deliver tangible socio-economic benefits to communities.

Mr Mari also conveyed his appreciation to Derian Ltd for its agreement to the negotiated settlement price of PGK 1.1 million and acknowledged Kuria Lawyers for their professional guidance and continued support in facilitating Wai Tri Holdings’ property transactions. The ceremony program featured the official signing of the Contract of Sale, execution of Title Transfer documents, and a formal exchange of documents. Legal Representative Mr. Andrew Kuria of Kuria Lawyers provided a summary of the contract before the signing took place. To commemorate the occasion, Wai Tri Holdings Chairman, Mr. Martin Neweng, presented special gifts to the Director of Derian Ltd as a gesture of appreciation for the successful completion and handover of the duplex property. He thanked all stakeholders involved for their professionalism and cooperation throughout the process.

The acquisition of the Cook Street duplex marks another positive step for Wai Tri Holdings as it strengthens its presence in property investment and continues to build long‑term value for its beneficiaries.