Oxford wins major science contract for schools

By MALUM NALU

Oxford managing director Jeno Aeno (centre) seals the deal with Central Supply and Tenders Board contractor coordinator Veari Hitolo (right) as wife and fellow director Kaia looks on.-Pictures by MALUM NALU

Nationally-owned company Oxford First Aid Supply today (Monday, September 19, 2011) signed a major K5.1 million contract with the Department of Education and Central Supply and Tenders Board to supply scientific equipment to selected schools in the highlands.

 Oxford managing director Jeno Aeno, and his wife and fellow director Kaia, signed the contract with CSTB contract coordinator Veari Hitolo this morning.

Oxford managing director Jeno Aeno (right) signs contract papers with Central Supply and Tenders Board contractor coordinator Veari Hitolo yesterday as wife and fellow director Kaia, and another Oxford staff look on.

  Aeno said his company had worked hard since its inception in 1993 to establish itself as a major supplier of curriculum materials such as text books, science equipment, laboratory chemicals, library books, encyclopaedias and sports equipment to schools in Papua New Guinea.

 “I want to thank the Department of Education, acting secretary Dr Joseph Pagelio and Education Department teaching evaluation committee headed by John Joseph and Simon Fauma,” he said.

 “I also want to thank the CSTB, particularly Mr Hitolo.

 “I know it’s a big project because we will be supplying science equipment to selected schools in the highlands region.

 “We will be doing it out of our Goroka office.

 “We should be getting everything supplied by the end of the year.

 “We will be taking representatives of the Education Department to inspect our warehouse in Goroka, which is where we’ll be distributing the equipment from.

 “I assure the Department of Education that we will do a good job.”

 Hitolo said the CSTB was glad to see companies like Oxford participating in the government procurement system.

 “I thank the managing director of Oxford and I’m confident that he will do a good job,” Hitolo said.

 Aeno, from Kama village in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, started the company from humble beginnings in 2004 and it has since grown in leaps and bounds.

 Oxford First Aid Supply’s head office is at Ahuia Street in Gordon, opposite the Datec building.

 Its head office is in Port Moresby with branches in Lae, Goroka and Wewak.

 Oxford employs 80 people.