MRDC buys five outboard motors for Western communities

Five new boats with outboard motors purchased by Mineral Resources Development Company at a cost of K250,000 were presented to five communities along the Fly River, in Western, on Thursday.
Kiwaba, Manawete, Dudi, Suki Fly Gogo and Middle Fly regions are part of the community mine continuation agreement (CMCA) regions along the Fly River.
They are affected by the Ok Tedi mine and now own 12 per cent of the mine through the State’s 33 per cent share transfer.
According to MRDC, the boats were bought at the request of the directors on the board of Mineral Resources CMCA Ltd, their trustee company, and handed over to the directors of MRCMCA by MRDC in Daru on Thursday.
Imbi Tagune, general manager external affairs, when presenting the boats, told the people of CMCA that they should be proud that they were 12 per cent owners of a 100 per cent nationally owned mine.
“Today is a start of many great things,” he said.
“The mine will be here for the next 23 years.
“There is more to come.
“Our role is to work with your directors to advise them on how to best serve your needs through the revenue you receive from the mine.
“We have to focus on sustainability after the mine ends.
“We must work together to deliver services to you.”
Community mine continuation agreement (CMCA) Manawete region director Kamen Arawak thanked MRDC for managing their funds.
He told his people that MRCMCA, in its first year of operation, had carried out two major investments projects with the help and advice of MRDC.
“We became shareholders of Kina Securities,” Arawak said.
“We have made a business arrangement with Mineral Resources Development Company to own a prime commercial property in Lae, the ANZ House.”
The five boats came complete with a 60-horsepower outboard motor and life jackets to serve the five communities.
MRC-MCA is the trustee company established under MRDC to manage the CMCA communities’ 12 per cent shareholding in Ok Tedi mine.