First tax credit scheme project completed

 Barrick (Niugini) Ltd has completed the first joint venture government-owned tax credit scheme (TCS) project totalling about K1.2 million.

The Paiam police station redevelopment project was completed last December at an estimated cost of K941,072. 

Two other projects include a new double classroom with an office for the Porgera Technical Vocational Education Training centre at K118,721 and an upgrade on the Paiam sewerage treatment plant at K155,670.

The redevelopment at Paiam police station was undertaken under the first joint venture between local Porgera company Heli Limi Ltd and Mt Hagen-based United Engineering Consultants and Contractors Pacific (UECCP) Ltd. 

Barrick had a brief handing over ceremony to Porgera district administrator Mori Iarume on Feb 5 who then handed it to station commander Inspector Peter Yambun.  

Iarume thanked Barrick for managing the National Government funds under TCS to ensure such projects were delivered.

The project saw four cell blocks built across the current police station building at Paiam. 

Heli Limi Ltd had supplied local labour and managed safety and community issues at the project site while UECCP provided the supervision, construction materials, equipment and capital for the project.

The new cell facility was constructed to meet current Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary  humanitarian standards and featured proper ventilation, structurally certified security components and walls to minimise noise from the surroundings. 

The project completion documents and the keys were handed over by the contractors to Barrick community relations TCS superintendent Kila Kilaverave in December. 

UECCP managing director Joseph Teng said: “I am thankful for the opportunity Barrick had given, for an outside company like UECCP 

to undertake a project here in Porgera. 

“I commend the company for this joint partnership arrangement with a local company because it enabled for smooth operations.” 

Heli Limi managing director Robert Alembo said: “We are happy to be involved in this first joint venture project. It was good learning experience and an opportunity for us a local company to build capacity, up skill and learn from the standards of such bigger companies like UECCP.”