Mine communities to benefit from K135.8 million projects

Community mine continuation Agreement (CMCA) communities in Western province will benefit from five major projects worth K135.8 million starting this year, four of which are tied up with economic development.

Mining Minister Byron Chan last month approved last month approved the money for the five projects.

The funding was approved following a submission of the respective feasibility studies made by Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) last September following funding from the CMCA’s Western province people’s dividend trust fund (WPPDTF).

The secretary of the Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazard Management is the custodian of the trust fund.

The five approved projects are Pampenai Road rehabilitation in North Fly district (K27.5 million), Ningerum Foot Bridge across Ok Tedi River in North Fly (K6.5m), Lake Murray-Aiambak Road in Middle Fly district (K58.8m), and Middle Fly and South Fly health plan (K43m).

Part of Lake Murray, Western province, where a K59.8m road will link up with Aiambak.-Picture by MALUM NALU

Pampenai Road is a 15km road linking six villages which have large stands of mature rubber trees.

There are 106 rubber farmers from these villages registered with North Fly Rubber Ltd.

Ningerum Foot Bridge will be a 162m bridge across the Ok Tedi River which once completed will provide a safe crossing for the people of Nupmo trust region into Ningerum.

Work on the Aiambak-Lake Murray Road will be the first step in what is expected to be the redevelopment of the entire road, formerly Barramundi Highway, linking Kiunga.

It is expected that the road will support expanding rubber developments, barramundi farming, and sustainable forestry projects taking place in the Middle Fly.

The Middle Fly and South Fly health plan is primarily targeted at funding the provision of desperately-needed primary health care to ensure general health services are affordable and consistent with community values while encouraging community participation.

“It features back-to-basic health care in line with the National Department of Health Plan 2011-2020,” said OTDF chief executive officer Ian Middleton.

“The health plan will be coordinated through the Western province health steering committee.

“OTDF is also committed to implementing the provincial education plan and a submission for funding will be made to the WPPDTF in 2013.”