Sode: PNGSDP spends millions in Western

I AM WRITING to set the record straight about claims made in a letter, “Western Province Struggles”, published on August 23.

There is a lot to show in Western Province as a result of PNG Sustainable Development Program Ltd’s stewardship of the dividends it receives from its 63.4 percent share in the Ok Tedi Mine.

At the end of the 2012 financial year, we had saved $US1.4 billion (K3.25 billion) for sustainable development in Western Province after the mine closes. On top of that we had spent K446.7 million on 248 projects in the Western Province.

The writer makes claims about PNGSDP’s lack of commitment to roads. That is untrue.

Some examples are the Gre to Drimgas road rehabilitation at a cost of K35 million, K2.8 million on the Olsobip to Ok Menga Road, other road maintenance at a cost of K9 million, K2.9 million on maintenance of the Temuidemsuk Road and Bridge, K1.8 million on the Obo-Kaviananga causeway and K16 million on the rehabilitation of the Kiunga to Kokonda road.

The writer claims PNGSDP spends less than K500,000 on projects in Western Province. That is not correct.

Our commitments include K77 million on the telecommunications towers project, which has brought the digital revolution to the province and transformed the people’s lives for the better, K5 million for rehabilitating airstrips, K2 million for Fly River berthing extensions, K1.7 million for developing the capacity of women, K8.8 million for women’s social infrastructure, K21.5 million a year for the CMCAs, K88 million on developing the Daru Deep Sea Port, K2.5 million on doctors’ housing at Daru Hospital.

Other spending include K3.1 million on developing an eaglewood industry, K35 million on an electricity supply for 18,000 villagers in the Kiunga-Tabubil corridor, K6.5 million on the Lake Murray Socio-Economic Development Hub, K12.9 million on scholarships for Western Province students, K2 million on developing a small-scale mining industry on the Lower Ok Tedi, K2 million on the rubber industry in the South Fly, K32 million on a solar power supply for 49 villages in the Dudi, Kiwaba and Manawete areas, K25 million for the Star Mountains Institute 

of Technology, K12 million on the Tabubil Community Education support project, K12 million on planning for a sustainable future for Tabubil after the mine closes, K22 million to upgrade Daru Airport, K27 million for health service delivery support, K65 million for the North and Middle Fly rubber industry, about K17 million on village water supply projects across the province and K10 million on enhancing the capacity of local level governments. 

In addition, we are currently spending approximately K150 million in Daru alone at present.

These projects include water and sewerage supply; an office and health and education accommodation project; a trestle wharf; an interim sewerage treatment plant; Tawo’o Point heavy-duty wharf and doctor and nurse accommodation at Daru Hospital and road maintenance.

In any case, spending small amounts in villages has a huge impact and PNGSDP plans to continue with this very effective strategy. 

The detail can be found by following this link: http://www.pngsdp.com/index.php/press-releases/134-letter-to-the-editor. 

All this is in addition to the billions of kina paid in compensation for environmental damage and the continuing efforts to mitigate environmental damage, including the drawing up of a shortlist of potential sites for a tailings dam.

The writer’s advice to think very carefully about the future – whether to stick to something that has a proven track record or risk everything on something new, unknown and untested – is excellent advice.

David Sode

PNGSDP CEO