K10bil in communities

EXXONMOBIL PNG Limited has invested around K10 billion on social programmes in the four pipeline impacted villages in Central since the PNGLNG came into operation, says national content manager Sisi Kini.
Kini said on Friday that the company had four community investment programmes related to health, education, law and justice and support to community livelihoods.
“Running across all of those four programmes, there were cross cutting issues that are related particularly in women’s empowerment, supporting infrastructure and capacity building initiatives,” Kini said.
“Community partnerships is critical for the programmes and we have been here running the programmes before construction and right through into production.
“In the production period, six years, during that time we have built some strong partnerships with non-governmental organisations (NGO), the Government and the communities.”
Kini said the partnerships were built over time and it took corporation to deliver on development and project expectations.
“There are a lot of challenges,” he said.
“A lot of people expect Exxonmobile to deliver a national content programme.
“Everyone should realise that it takes all of us to take the dividends and the benefits that we receive from such extractive projects and how to maximise them.”
Kini said the industry was going through challenging times with the Covid-19 pandemic and some of the impending changes to legislations but it still continued to play an important role in nation building.
“Creating jobs, businesses and supporting communities with health, education and livelihoods.”
Kini said Exxon was now looking at more strategic investments for economic empowerment.
“When you talk about sustainability, the best way is to strengthen the economy.”