InterOil builds office and housing complex in Gulf

 By GYNNIE KERO

INTEROIL has built a modern office and accommodation complex to boost local and provincial government services on education, health and business development in Wabo and Baimuru districts, Gulf.

The aid post and school in Wabo currently receives little assistance from the provincial government. There are also no regular police attending to law and order in the community.

InterOil says the new office complex will accommodate district officers and LLG workers to strengthen government presence in Wabo and nearby communities.

It has already built a trade store for the landowners as an initiative to start landowner-company entrepreneurship.

“InterOil believes in building and maintaining sustainable community relations in the areas that we operate in including Napa Napa (where our refinery is), Kerema (our base for LNG activities near Kerema) and villages along upstream Purari River like Wabo and other communities near our Elk/Antelope gas fields.

“Gulf is one of the least developed provinces in the country. 

“Our Kerema community assistance includes books for schools in Kerema, logistics support for non-profit organisations such as Rotary to distribute equipment and beds to Kerema hospital. 

“We assist provincial health division by delivering basic medicine and supplies to rural aid posts not accessible by road such as Kaintiba through our charters.

“InterOil meets all charter costs in these evacuations and delivery of medicine to upstream Purari villages like Wabo, Uraru, Poroi.”

Gulf Governor Havila Kavo opened the Wabo aid post on Tuesday after it had been closed for five years. 

He also committed K30,000 to the Wabo Community School, aid post, and the Wabo trade store.