OTDFL to start K125 million impact projects in Western

 By TERRY MANAO DAVID

WORK on four high-impact projects worth K125.4 million in Western is expected to start soon after OTDFL signed contract agreements for respective projects yesterday in Port Moresby.

The projects are the Middle and South Fly CMCA area health programme, Aiambak to Lake Murray Road, Pampenai Road and Nupmo to Ningerum Footbridge in North Fly.

Ok Tedi Development Foundation Ltd (OTDFL) chief executive Ian Middleton said the K43 million health programme will be managed and implemented by Abt JTA over five years while Aiambak to Lake Murray Road (K59.9 million) and Pampenai Road (K12.1 million) will be constructed by Starwest Ltd.

Numpo to Ningerum footbridge crossing Ok Tedi River would be constructed by Wild Cat at a cost of K10.4 million.

“Funding for these projects comes from Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) component of Western Province People’s Dividend Trust Fund (WPPDTF), which was approved for release in December 2012 by Mining Minister Byron Chan following a submission by OTDFL to Shadrach Himata, Secretary Mineral Policy and Geo-hazard Management. The Secretary is the custodian of WPPDTF,” Middleton said.

 Ok Tedi Mining Ltd managing director Nigel Parker said with functional roads and bridges, the province would now have access to basic health care and other services such as education and commerce.