Porgera mine supplying locals with tools to build airstrip

THE Porgera Joint Venture has provided the villagers of Winjak in the Lagaip-Porgera district in Enga with tools to build an airstrip.
Winjak is located along the Lagaip River in the Maip-Mulitaka local level government in Enga near the border with East Sepik.
The villagers had bought wheel burrows but could not take them to the village because of the remoteness of the village.
The only way to transport supplies is by air.
The villagers sought the assistance of the mine, according to PJV community relations and wngagement manager Meck Minnala.
Minnala took two wheelbarrows, 11 spades and 100 bags of nylon to the village by helicopter last week. It takes about seven minutes to travel from Porgera mine to the village.
“A couple of months ago they saw our team doing food basket survey in the area and requested if we can assist in transporting their materials,” Minnala said.
“They also wrote to us requesting our assistance. So while transporting their wheelbarrows we also bought some spades and nylon bags.”