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

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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.

Western students receive education support from OTDF

Education

The Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) continues to manage and administer scholarship funding from partners including Ok Tedi Mining Limited and Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) Trusts to support students from Western Province in accessing tertiary education and building human resource capacity for the future.

Through its Education Scholarship Program, OTDF provides annual assistance to eligible students, ensuring they commence studies on time at various tertiary institutions across Papua New Guinea.

This year, a total of 231 students from the North Fly and Middle Fly districts attended the 2026 Orientation Program for new scholarship recipients. Students were encouraged to prioritise their studies and make effective use of the support provided.

The orientation program, held at the Kiunga TVET Centre on Friday, 23 January 2026, was designed to guide both new and returning students on the expectations, policies, and processes of the OTDF Scholarship Program, which supports educational opportunities for young people across the province.

Speaking at the event, OTDF Community Education Program Scholarship Officer Ms Shemila Kasi urged students to use the skills and knowledge gained through higher education to contribute to the development of Western Province.

“OTDF is committed to supporting students from CMCA regions, non-CMCA areas, Middle Fly, and Preferred Area Development regions,” Ms Kasi said. “Students from Western Province have demonstrated strong academic performance, and I encourage you all to maintain this standard throughout the 2026 academic year.”

Ms Kasi added that continued support under the scholarship program is based on academic performance, with students required to maintain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5.

Mrs Philomina Lucas, a parent from Kiunga whose child is also a scholarship recipient, thanked OTDF’s education officers and management for their timely assistance.

“As parents, we often struggle to support our children financially,” Mrs Lucas said. “This continuous support is a great relief and ensures our children are able to attend school on time. Through funding from Ok Tedi Mining Limited and management by OTDF, our children have the opportunity to become future leaders.”

The OTDF Education Scholarship Program provides targeted support to students from Preferred Area Development (PAD) regions, Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) areas, the Middle Fly District, and maritime cadet programs, reflecting OTDF’s broad and inclusive approach to human capital development.

OTDF remains firmly committed to supporting students from Western Province as a core pillar of its long-term strategy for sustainable development and future prosperity.