Wobiro: Western to be next ‘boom’ province

By MALUM NALU in Tabubil

Western province Governor Ati Wobiro says his province – disparaged as the “poorest” in PNG despite the richness of its natural resources – will makes its way up to be the “boom” province of Papua New Guinea.

He made the bold assertion during the launching of the K19 million Fly River vessel, mv Fly Warrior, at Obo in the Middle Fly on Sunday.

Wobiro (right) and Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) chief executive officer Ian Middleton celebrate the arrival of Fly Warrior at Obo on Sunday.-Picture by MALUM NALU

Wobiro said the richness of Western was shown at last month’s mining and petroleum conference in Sydney, where he said focus was on Western’s mineral, gas, and oil resources.

“The three-day conference was focused on Western province,” he said.

“Great things are happening for Western province.

“This is a year of take-off for Western province.

“The development partners are our friends.

“They are here to help us.

“There will be a lot more celebrations to come.

“Western province will be the ‘boom’ of the whole country.

“We’re going to do a lot more.”

Wobiro speakng at Obo on Sunday.

Wobiro admitted that in the past, so much money- especially payoffs from the rich Ok Tedi mine – had been misused by provincial government and administration.

“In the past, a lot of government money was misused,” he said.

“There will be change.

“I will make sure that every toea is accounted for.”

Sturt Island, Western province, assured of jetty upgrade

By MALUM NALU on Sturt Island

People of remote Sturt Island in the South Fly area of Western province have been assured of an upgrade to their recent-completed jetty by Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF).

Chief executive officer of OTDF, Ian Middleton, made the assurance when speaking at the arrival of the K19 million mv Fly Warrior at Sturt Island on Saturday.

Middleton (left) and a local leader on the Sturt Island jetty on Saturday.-Pictures by MALUM NALU

“We’re going to upgrade this jetty, as well as three other jetties in the South Fly area,” he said.

“We’re going to fence this area in front of the jetty and build a shed.”

He appealed to the people to respect the Fly Warrior and its sister ships, Fly Hope and Fly Explorer, as they moved up and down the Fly River.

Signboard for the recently-completed jetty on Sturt Island.

“They (ships) will bring you income, bring you containers of materials, and you will see them going up and down river,” Middleton said.

“Respect these ships, they’re yours.

“You and people in the middle of nowhere own these vessels.”

Young PNG captain in charge of mv Fly Warrior

By MALUM NALU on Sturt Island

Young Papua New Guinea ship captain Joe Manuhu, who brought in the K19 million mv Fly Warrior from Malaysia to Papua New Guinea and up the Fly River, is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

Manuhu in the wheelhouse of the Fly Warrior on Saturday.-Picture by MALUM NALU

Manuhu, 33, from Pao village in Manus, however, is a veteran of the Fly River and is confident of doing a good job.

He was in charge of a crew of 13, two expatriates and 11 nationals, who sailed the Fly Warrior out of Malaysia on December 22 and arrived in Daru on January 2, and then went up the Fly River.

“I’m new to the rank of master,” Manuhu told reporters at Sturt Island on Saturday as the vessel was welcomed.

“I just got my master last year.

“I was previously with Steamships for 10 years going up and down the Fly River, then P&O, and then Consort Express Lines.

“Every day is a learning day.

“It’s always a challenge.”

Fly Warrior will primarily service Ok Tedi Mining Ltd’s operational requirements, carrying up to 72 containers and or 1.2 million litres of fuel, out of Port Moresby but has the capacity to call into Australia when required.

The ship was designed by Shiptech in Singapore, constructed by Sarawak Slipways in Malaysia, and will be operated by V-Ships, the world’s largest shipping fleet manager.

Ok Tedi villages commended for K19 million investment

By MALUM NALU on Sturt Island

Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) chief executive officer Ian Middleton has commended the 156 villages that currently benefit from the Ok Tedi Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) for their decision to invest in the K19 million mv Fly Warrior.

 Fly Warrior along the Fly River on Saturday.-Pictures by MALUM NALU

He said this to hundreds of South Fly villages on Sturt Island, along the banks of the Fly River, on Saturday when delivering the Fly Warrior – bought from their CMCA funds and the third vessel after the arrival of its two sister ships Fly Hope and Fly Explorer last year.

Middleton addresses South Fly villagers including children on Sturt Island.

Apart from the three vessels, the CMCA villagers also have two brand-new Twin Otter aircraft, both of which were delivered towards the end of last year.

Saturday’s was the first of two welcomes for the Fly Warrior, the second being at Obo, further up the Fly River yesterday (Sunday).

South Fly villagers line up the jetty on Sturt Island to board the Fly Warrior.

“I’m happy because you people of South Fly are happy,” Middleton said on Sturt Island.

“I’m happy to deliver this vessel, your vessel.

“I’m very pleased, happy, and humbled at the effort you people have shown in accepting this vessel.

“It shows that you are willing to accept change.

“You can create change and you can bring about prosperity in South Fly.”

South Fly villagers pack the deck of the Fly Warrior on Sturt Island.

Middleton explained that their CMCA funds were held in trust development funds and trust investment funds, with all villages having a say in how these monies were used.”

“That money is to make investments that go beyond mine life,” he said.

“We have to spend the investment funds as soon as possible so that we can make money for you

“All that money (from investments) goes into your development funds.”

Middleton said in the case of Fly Warrior, the 65m bulk carrier would be on dry hire to Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML), and would be generating a minimum 8% return per annum, and 32% residual,  on a capital investment of K19 million.

 Fly Warrior along the Fly River on Saturday.

“We have secured the vessel on behalf of the CMCA people,” he said.

“It will be on lease to OTML for 15 years.

“The same principle applies to the two other vessels and the planes.

“These investments actually work for your development future.”

Latest pictures of Daru, Western province

By MALUM NALU

I flew to Daru last Friday and travelled more than 200 miles up the mighty Fly River by boat for the launch of the new Western province vessel, mv Fly Warrior, at Sturt Island yesterday and at Obo today. 
From there, a long helicopter ride to Kiunga, and then Tabubul.
During my short stopover in Daru, during which I spent some quality time with my tambus before catching a dinghy for the mouth of the Fly, I took these pictures of the forgotten Western province "capital".

Daru Airport

On a wing and a prayer...Missionary Aviation Fellowship Cessna 206 at Daru Airport

Airlines PNG Dash 8 that took us safely to Daru.

Daru airport

Road from Daru Airport

Old public cemetery

Montford Primary School

Street to town

Mango trees

Why chop down these shade trees?

The rundown colonial post office at Daru, Western province, seriously needs to be replaced, as seen last Friday.

Shopping centre

One of the positive developments in Daru...the new K10 million wharf trestle nears completion. It is funded by PNG Sustainable Development Program (PNGSDP), and built by contractor Curtain Brothers.

Canoe off Daru, Western province, last Friday.

One of the positive developments in Daru...the new K10 million wharf trestle nears completion. It is funded by PNG Sustainable Development Program (PNGSDP), and built by contractor Curtain Brothers.