PNGSDP signs historic agreement with Western province

By MALUM NALU in Tabubil

PNG Sustainable Development Program (PNGSDP), majority shareholder of the giant Ok Tedi mine, has signed a historic agreement with the Fly River provincial government to ensure that more business opportunities flow down to the people of Western province.

The company currently owns 63.4% of Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML), while the balance of 36.6% is owned by the PNG government.

The agreement was signed after a day-long meeting at the Tabubil Golf Club on Saturday in which representatives from PNGSDP, OTML, and Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) made comprehensive presentations to a delegation led by Governor Ati Wobiro, and deputy provincial administrator Willie Kokoba.

Wobiro signed the agreement on behalf of his people while board chairman Professor Ross Garnaut signed on behalf of PNGSDP.

Garnaut (left) and Wobiro sign the agreement on Saturday.-Picture by MALUM NALU

It was hailed as the beginning of a new era for Western province, especially given that Wobiro is a former employee of PNGSDP, who is familiar with all its workings.

“I’m sure that with the partnership we have already signed, we can bring our resources together,” Wobiro said in his first major engagement as Western province Governor.

“This is an exciting time for all of us.

“Our people expect us to do things and let’s do the right thing by them.”

Garnaut said Western province had access to a lot of funds from different sources and the way forward was to plan how to use these,

“In everything that we (PNGSDP) do, we hope we can work with the provincial government,” he said.

“We are natural partners in development in this province.

“There are a lot of partners that belong to the province in Department of Finance SSG (special support grants), MRDC (Mineral Resources Development Company).

“What we need to do is we need to have a plan to put the funds from PNGSDP, Ok Tedi, OTDF alongside your funds and build the important business projects that can really make a big difference in taking this province forward.

‘“We have a partner who can work with us to make use of this golden opportunity.

“It will be our great opportunity in turning this this opportunity into achievement.”