Mine presents houses to local communities

The National National
From left: OTML chief executive officer and chairman of OTDF Musje Werror and Tony Itulam, former chairman for Finalbin village, cutting the ribbon to mark the handover of the houses. – Picture supplied.

FIVE families from the Ok Tedi mine areas in Western received keys to their homes recently.
Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) chief executive officer and managing director Musje Werror said he wanted to see mine villages become model communities for Papua New Guinea.
“I would like to see improvements in the living standard that will continue after the mine’s closure and these five houses are a perfect example of making this happen,” he said.
The five houses built at a cost of K1.4 million at Finalbin, was a joint project by Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF), Finalbin community, local building contractors and OTML.
The houses have three bedrooms, are fully kitted with brown and white goods, supplied with both hot and cold water and electricity.
Mine villages chairman Maino Lucas said the project was a sign of change in support at the mine’s executive management level.
Team leader OTDF infrastructure department Richard Jendeng said: “We were involved in all stages of the project, particularly supporting the contractors to ensure compliance to standards and specifications.”
OTDF continues infrastructure development for the mine villages with the next five houses to be built for Kavorabip village this year, which will be followed by two houses each for both Atemkit and Wangbin villages.