Rearea gets classroom and ambulance

The Mineral Resource Development Company has commissioned an ambulance and given a new classroom to a community near the liquefied natural gas plant site in Port Moresby.
MRDC managing director Augustine Mano told the Rearea community that from the K15 million in royalties announced last year for PNGLNG plant sites beneficiaries, 40 per cent (K6.25 million) was paid out in cash, 30 per cent was kept for Future Generation Trust Fund and the other 30 per cent (K4.68 million) goes to the Community Infrastructure Trust Fund (CITF).
“What you see are the first two projects from the CIFT’s K4.68 million. K120,000 was spent to complete this building and K300,000 for the fully kitted ambulance,” Mano said.
He said cash payments were like footprints in the sand.
“When the tide comes in, it’s gone. But as for the CITF, the benefits do not discriminate and they are projects for everyone.” Mano said for upstream, they have not received benefits yet because clan vetting has not been completed.
Chairwoman Ulato Avei said that was the fruits of the LNG plant and the investment of the future generation. “That is the reason why gas resource PNGLNG plant Ltd was established.” She said the gas resource was not only to administer the payment of royalties but also to deliver services to the four communities.
This was achieved under the Oil and Gas Act 1998 provides for the management of the equity and royalty benefits from oil and gas projects in PNG.