Ok Tedi funds school’s infrastructure in Western

It was a proud moment for students and teachers of Saint Montfort Primary School in Kiunga, Western, as they witnessed the handing over of the school’s new buildings on Monday.
The new buildings consisting of two double-storey classrooms, two staff houses and an administration block and school hall were funded through Ok Tedi Mining Ltd’s (OTML) tax credit scheme (TCS).
This is in addition to seven new teachers houses that were handed over to the school last year.
The total cost of the entire project was K8.2 million.
OTML’s manager for economic programmes, Francis Chibelle, said OTML was committed to continuing its support to Western through TCS, Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) and other support programmes.
“Some of the previous projects include the Awe Abip building, which is the Fly River provincial government administration, public servants’ housing scheme, airport and roads in Kiunga, seven jetties down the Fly River and the Kiunga- Aiambak road,” he said.
Western administrator Robert Alphonse said the Saint Montfort Primary School building project, through the OTML TCS, was a shining example of prudent project management.
“This is such a significant occasion,” he said.
“We are very fortunate to receive these facilities and to witness the handover of such infrastructure under OTML’s tax credit scheme.
“We are thankful that we have a credible development partner who has made sure that the project funding that was put down for this project has been delivered.
“You can see the results of the money given to this project.”
Alphonse thanked the National Government, OTML, the OTDF and local contractor engaged in the project, Tawep Kamen Investment, for ensuring the project was completed successfully and delivered in a timely manner.
Since the school’s establishment in 1961, this is the first project of this magnitude in the school’s history, according to the primary school’s headmaster, Pancratius Lawrence.
The project began in 2015 but was put on hold due to the dry weather event that year.
Last year, the project restarted. It was completed this year.