Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
Latest News
Finalbin village gets 5 homes
One of the 3 bedroom homes at Finalbin village in the Star Mountains.
Ok Tedi Mine Village members witnessed the opening of 5 houses funded from the Finalbin Village Development Fund at a total cost of K1.4 million.
Five families of Finalbin village in the Star Mountains on 12 May received keys to their new homes.
This project is a partnership between Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF), the Finalbin community, local building contractors, and Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML).
Mr. Maino Lucas, Mine Village’s Chairman, said the project is a sign of change in support at the mine’s executive management level.
“The project delivered today shows the leadership we have at the Ok Tedi mine, our people will benefit through this leadership witnessed today.”
The former VPC Chairman for Finalbin village Mr. Tony Itulam commended the support from OTDF and thanked them for completing the project despite many delays due to Covid-19.
Homes to improve standard of living
He expressed, “I want to see the Ok Tedi Mine Villages become the model community in PNG. I would like to see improvements in the living standard that will continue after mine closure and these five houses are a perfect example of making this happen.”
Team Leader OTDF Infrastructure Department, Richard Jendeng said, “we were involved in all stages of the project, particularly supporting the contractors to ensure compliance to standards and specifications.”
The houses have three bedrooms, are fully kitted with brown and white goods, supplied with both hot and cold water and electricity.
OTDF continues infrastructure development for the Mine Villages with the next five houses to be built for Kavorabip Village this year, followed by two houses each for both Atemkit and Wangbin Villages.
All approved nominations have been submitted with other VPC projects now awaiting approval by respective communities.
Prosperity from marine resources
Stakeholders of the Fisheries Workshop at the Cassowary Hotel
Aibinio village is one of 14 villages which form the Kiwai Islands, situated along the north banks of the Fly River delta, in the South Fly District, Western Province.
President for Kiwaba Women & Children’s Association Pahe David presented her 50 years Vision themed ‘Striving Daudai’, with the drawing of two islands in parallel to each other.
“Aibinio has no resources but the island next to it has, and its resources have been our life source, it has provided crabs, fish, shells, mangroves, and coconut palms for building our houses.”
“I want solar lights in the centre of the village. Our bush material houses have brought us through and we are now building houses with roofing iron. My people utilise nature and its resources to survive. I want to change this, I want to see the wealth that marine resources generate, and bring development to the village of Aibinio. I want to have a school for my children to attend in the village not leave and find primary education somewhere else .”
Mrs, David’s 50 years vision is a result of a fisheries project, which started with a survey facilitated by Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) in Partnership with the Commonwealth Science and Research Organisation (CSIRO) and was funded by the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
The basis of the survey is to develop alternative small-scale fishery models for women in the Western Province.
Mrs. David presented her vision to participants during the fisheries multi-stakeholder workshop hosted by the OTDF on 14th April in Kiunga. As a lead-up to the stakeholder workshop community consultation workshops were conducted by the OTDF livelihood development team in Kaviananga village of Middle Fly and also in the South Fly.
The Fisheries Workshop provided the forum to collate ideas, which could be useful to design appropriate linked business and resource management models for women that would maximize income returns, and encourage sustainable fishing and enterprises.
Organisations attending the workshop in Kiunga included the Ok Tedi CMCA women executives, INLOC Group (Aquaculture and Fisheries Specialists), OTML_Environment Department, South Fly District Fisheries, Middle Fly District Fisheries and Trustees from the two Ok Tedi CMCA Trust regions.
OTDF Board Visits Fly Vanilla Project site
OTDF Board members during the Fly Vanilla Project site visit at Samagos.
The OTDF Board of Directors had its first meeting for 2022 which included a tour of the Fly Vanilla project site. With the construction of the vanilla grow-out tunnels progressing to establish the nucleus estate, smallholder extension and training will be rolled out by Innovative Agro Industries, Fly River Provincial Government (DPI), and OTDF.
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.
View
Executive Management
View
Board Members
View
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.