Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
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Founding CEO for OTDF Recognised in the 2021 PNG Honours List
CHIEF INDUCTION CEREMONY, Wangawanga village, Middle Fly District
The Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae GCL GCMG, presented the ‘Orders of Papua New Guinea 2021 Independence Honours Awards’ to 14 recipients at Government House in Port Moresby on Thursday 28th October. Among them was Ian Roger Middleton, the founding Chief Executive Officer of an independent Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF).
Mr. Middleton received the “Companion of the Order of the Star of Melanesia” (CSM), the second-highest award in PNG, following the Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu (GCL).
The CSM award is for his service and dedication over more than 15 years to community development, especially for the CMCA people associated with the Ok Tedi mine in Western Province, in pioneering commercial aquaculture in PNG, and his dedication to improving elementary education. For establishing agribusiness opportunities for smallholder farmers across Western Province and constructing more than 20 elementary classrooms through his private foundation, the Liklik Skul.
Ian shared the following reflections with the Fly Breeze: “My love of Papua New Guinea began from my very first year of life in 1969, on Kar Kar Island where my ‘was mamma’ watched my every move and eagerly taught me ‘tok-pisin’ and ‘waskia’ (one of two local languages spoken on the island) as I grew. Against many protests, eight years later my parents insisted I speak English whenever in our family home, a precursor to going to boarding school in Sydney and my multi-linguistic, multi-cultural upbringing was determined. I have always wanted to share my knowledge and experiences with rural Papua New Guinean’s, from stories of Australia to teaching the coastal village people of Madang how to grow out barramundi in ocean cages. My desire to help others eventually led me to the mining industry and Western Province where I have spent the last 15 years, including 11 years as the former CEO of Ok Tedi Development Foundation. Now an advisor, my time with OTDF has been a life-changing experience and the more than 140,000 mine-impacted communities I serve have become my extended family. A family that inspired both the evolution of the WestAgro program to build community financial independence and the Liklik Skul Foundation, which to date has renovated or built as new, 21 elementary school classrooms across the province. These experiences have inspired my Master’s degree by thesis at the University of Queensland and it is evident that there needs to be a greater focus by government and extractive companies to achieve improved community-driven development outcomes. I am hopeful that my research and the lessons learned from OTDF build an evidence base that informs PNG Mining Policy and enables the necessary changes that are required. I am humbled and very proud to be awarded by the PNG Government and thank the ‘Department of Minerals Policy and Geohazard Management’ for the nomination. This recognition would not have been possible without the support of many individuals at OTML and OTDF, especially my wantok Musje Werror, the people of Western Province, and of course the steadfast support of my loving parents, wife and children to whom I dedicate this honour, thank you all”.
Some highlights have included;
- Establishing a CMCA Trust Investment portfolio that to date has earned over PGK65 million for future generations
- A 5 year Middle and South Fly Health development program that saw Western Province improve from second last to fourth-best across 22 Provinces
- Establishing the largest number of Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) facilities for any Province across PNG
- Facilitating a leading global mining industry Women’s empowerment program, including the establishment of CMCA Women’s Associations
- Facilitating the construction of the Ningerum footbridge across the Ok Tedi River and rehabilitation of the Aiambak to Lake Murray, and Ningerum to Pampenai roads
- Writing the WestAgro Master Plan and founding WestAgro Holdings to guide the CMCA’s agribusiness program, setting in motion a sustainable legacy for Western Province
- Founding Chairman of the Liklik Skul Foundation, established in 2013
Following a 2-year induction process, one of my greatest achievements was becoming an honorary Chief of the ‘Crocodile Clan’ in the lower Middle Fly in 2020
Papua New Guinea’s national honours and awards system, known as “The Orders of Papua New Guinea”, was formally established in 2004 by authority of the Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of the United Kingdom and Head of the Commonwealth, including the independent State of Papua New Guinea.
Community water project for clean water access
Kawok children have access to clean drinking water
Over 300 villagers of Kawok in the Wai Tri region of North Fly District were pleased with the completion of the water catchment project.
The occasion was special as this project was initiated and fully funded by the Trust Administration through the Kawok village development funds.
The opening of the project means a lot to the people as it gives them clean water for drinking, cooking, and washing.
Former Ward Councillor for Ward 18 Mr. Bondit Kembayong was first to drink the water which he said was clean and tasted fresh.
He congratulated the leadership of Village Planning Committee Chairman (VPC) Mr. Simon Kobokut for the persistence to see the project to its completion.
Esy Krembi Nima Women Association Secretary representing President Ruth Ukin said leadership is only as good as the community who are willing to support their leader.
“Inside the community, when there is a good leader there is a blessing and you see development, but with leadership, there needs to be community support, provide that support to bring service. Kawok has its 5-year development plan so use it as a guideline and support each other to develop your community”
She was impressed with the Kawok community for prioritising community projects recalling her last visit to the village in 2019 during the OTDF Communications Patrol. She said the community mentioned then, wanting to facilitate the building of a water catchment and this is done now.
There are five 9,000 liter water tanks supplying water through gravity flow to 20 taps installed of which 2 households share one tap.
To them, this is the second biggest project after the completion of their health facility built from government grants.
Commitment to complete community projects
Ambaga Elementary School teachers house complete
There are servant leaders among many communities in the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) region and the projects delivered is evident.
Caleb Konmop the Village Planning Committee (VPC) Chairman for Ambaga has proven his role after completing Trust-funded projects school housing and church building.
Ambaga village in the North Ok Tedi Trust region of CMCA area recently saw the completion of two development projects built by local youths at a cost of over K90, 000 “This building was built from local knowledge, we used the youths in the community to build the church building”, said Konmop.
The church and a two-bedroom teacher’s house is complete, built with the support of youths who trained as carpenters at Kiunga Technical and Vocational Education Training Centre (KTVETC).
“We must look at community-oriented projects, such as hospitals, churches, roads that the whole community can use. We have learnt from past experiences and must ask ourselves, what can we achieve for the community?” Konmop iterated.
The Konmop brothers Kawok and Caleb proved that development comes from hard work, commitment, and perseverance. The brothers have taken the lead in developing their community after receiving machinery to build a 14-kilometer feeder road worth over a K1million from North Fly District district grants.
The villagers of Ambaga used to walk 8 hours to reach basic services in Kiunga or Ningerum. Once the road is complete, this should take less time, improving access for Ambaga and surrounding Kungim and Brimkamba villages.
Ambaga village is located 7 kilometers from the Alice River, northwest of Kiunga town.
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.