Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
Latest News
OTDF Strengthening Partnership
The Maritime Cadet Scholarship (MCS) Program managed by the Ok Tedi Development Foundation’s Education Team, has formally secured a partnership with a renowned shipping company.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is with P&O Maritime Services (PNG) Limited, a premier maritime solutions provider to governments, businesses and organisations across all the seven continents of the world.
Through this MoU, maritime Cadets who are recipient of the OTDF Maritime Scholarship are eligible to complete their 24 month sea-time experience on-board P&O vessels.
This alleviates burden of students and their parents to look for ships or vessels where the student can complete their practical experience in order to graduate.
This training also opens up opportunities for employment with P&O if they perform well.
This year, four successful candidates, 2 deck and 2 engineering cadets will start their on-board training under the MoU. General Manager P&O Maritime Services (PNG) Limited Mr John Whitfield, during the brief signing ceremony in Kiunga said this partnership is an investment in young people from Western Province to make strong and positive contributions to their families, their community, to the province and the country. He added that he was very impressed with the cadetship program and that P&O would be interested in doubling the number of cadets across the P&O fleet.
The document was officially signed by both the P&O Maritime (PNG) Ltd General Manager John Whitfield and Ian Middleton Chief Executive Officer for OTDF. This document sets out the respective roles and responsibilities of OTDF and P&O for the implementation of the Training from August 2019, until such a time when either party requests a review.
OTDF Kiunga Fun Run Hailed A Success
The inaugural OTDF Kiunga Fun Run was hailed a success by the organisers, sponsors and participants alike. Running enthusiasts as well as first time runners from Kiunga and Tabubil joined in the fun run.
Initiated by the Ok Tedi Development Foundation with the support from Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML), the Kiunga Fun Run, under the theme “Run for a Sustainable Future” brought Business Houses, Organisations and Government Agencies in the North Fly District together for a worthy cause.
The event was organised to raise funds for the Kiunga General Hospital whilst raising awareness on wellbeing and promoting WestAgro as a new sustainable way forward for the Province.
The Sponsors of the event included BNG Trading Company Limited, TKI Limited, Unique Hardware (Kiunga), Tommy Transport Limited, Digicel PNG, Horizon Oil (Papua) Limited, Puma Energy, WP Construction Limited, Western Fixers, Bank South Pacific, Ok Tedi Power Limited, JV Port Services, Starwest, Middle Fly Investments Limited, Nanai Brothers, Tutuwe Ara Women’s Association, Middle Fly Women’s Association and Nim Ara Women’s Association.
In excess of PGK50,000 was raised during the event, earning a net return of over PGK20,000.
The funds will be used to purchase colour coded waste bins and hospital lighting equipment for Kiunga Hospital as requested by Dr. Kaptigau Asael, as well as supporting a first model vanilla family farmer plot under WestAgro.
OTDF’s executive manager for corporate services, Mr Michael Apollo thanked all the sponsors for their generosity and the organisers and all the participants for their support during the event.
Kiunga Secondary School (KSS) provided the most number of student volunteers who complimented OTDF and LBL staff to serve as marshals.
Members of the PNG Defence Force Forward Base stationed at Kiunga also took the lead in the mentoring, coaching, providing moral support and extra security for the day.
Standing alongside their comrades, the Kiunga Police also contributed by managing traffic and providing an escort.
The event included the more athletic 10 kilometre run and the family friendly 5 kilometre distances.
The North Fly MP, Hon James Donald officially started and took part in the 10 kilometre leg. He also spoke after the event inspiring everyone to be healthy and physically fit.
OTML sent a team from Tabubil led by the Community Relations Manager, Mr. Kuam Sanewai, who is also a director on the OTDF Board; he also took on the 10km run. 19 participants received awards including special recognition to a person with disability. Medals and cash prizes were given to the fastest 3 males, females and youths for each distance.
The Fun Run Committee vowed to make the next year’s event bigger and more inclusive, hoping to double the 300 runners that participated this year. “Everyone had fun”.
OTDF actively supports programs and projects that promote health and well-being in the community.
OTDF Board Meets With Suki Community
THE OTDF Board which held its 50th Board meeting on board MV Ms Rankin on the Fly River spent some time to meet with the Suki Fly Gogo community at Pukaduka 1 village on August 25, 2019 as part of the OTDF Communications Patrol.The board flew to Gigwa airstrip in the Suki Fly Region and proceeded to Pukaduka 1 village where they were met by over 600 community members.
The purpose of the meeting was mainly to address issues and concerns relating to the current legal proceedings involving the Western Province People’s Dividend Trust Fund for the CMCA region and provide an update on MRCMCA.
The OTDF Board Chairman, Musje Werror responded to all the questions which helped to clear a lot of confusion and misunderstandings in the community.
He also took the opportunity to communicate OTDF’s plans for the CMCA Region and encouraged the community to set aside their differences and work together to develop their region.
The community appreciated the visit by the OTDF Board. The OTDF board meets every quarter and the next board meeting is planned to be held in the South Fly region in December coinciding with the South Fly Communications Patrol.
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.