Ok Tedi women’s group starts business after signing

AN association representing women and children from six mine villages in the Star Mountains, North Fly, signed a memorandum of understanding last week to begin leasing a vehicle to the Ok Tedi Development Foundation.
The signing ceremony last Friday in Tabubil was between the Ok Tedi Mine Villages Women and Children’s Association and the foundation for the lease of a Toyota Landcruiser owned by the association’s company, Ok Tedi Wanangman Aptil Investment Ltd.
The revenue generated from the agreement will go to support the association after mine closure.
Association vice-president Lulu Bill said it was the first time for the women of Star Mountains to have an investment business and thanked everyone involved for making the business a reality.
Company director and chairperson for the Kavorabip village, Christine Babona, said women from the six mine villages needed to do more to help themselves as the mine closure date approached.
Foundation business development team leader Lesley Timothy told the association’s members that the foundation would meet all operational costs of the vehicle and pay a monthly fee to ensure profitability.
Foundation executive manager programme services Eric Kuman commended the women of the mine villages for working closely with them.
“Business is about sacrifice,” he said.
“You have to invest back in the business you created. You have to have something to fall back on.
“This is an opportunity for you to invest, commit your resources and invest outside of the province, the foundation will continue to support you in your efforts to do your business.”
Kuman said the foundation would support the women entrepreneurs with training and administrative assistance.
He said the foundation managed nine investment companies with directorship by the women executives of the respective associations from the CMCA.
Now the six mine villages would add to the list of investment companies owned and operated by women and children’s associations.