K10m windfall for 10 villages

 THE Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) through its subsidiary company Mineral Resources Star Mountains (MRSM) has paid a dividend of K10 million to beneficiaries from 10 villages.

The recipients gathered at the Tabubil Golf Club on Saturday to receive their dividends, which represented payments for 2011.

The amount will be divided equally among the 10 villages, namely included Bultem, Kavorabip, Migalsim, Migalsimbip, Kumkit, Ankit, Nioksikwi, Ok Tedi Tau, Finalbin and Wangbin 

The payment was witnessed by Western Deputy Governor Borok Pitalok, Fubilan Catering Services general manager Paul Povey, the board of MRSM and the senior management of MRDC.

MRDC client and administration services manager Imbi Tagune made the presentation to MRSM chairman Bill Menim on behalf of the 10 villages.

Tagune said he was happy on behalf of MRSM to make this payment to the people of Ok Tedi and the beneficiaries from Western. 

He said MRSM was doing well and serving its people in the Ok Tedi area.

“The board of MRSM and the leaders from the villages must continue to work together with you the people so that your company MRSM can continue to grow and reap benefits,” Tagune said.

MRSM chairman Bill Menim thanked Tagune and MRDC for the payment.

He said the money would be divided equally among the beneficiary villages and would be invested for the benefit of future generations.

The event had given villagers an opportunity to raise some of their concerns concerning their future as beneficiaries from the Ok Tedi mine area.