Training skills needed for rural people, says chairman

By EREBIRI ZURENUOC
RURAL Papua New Guineans need to be equipped with training skills so that they can work in companies that are investing in their area, the chairman of a landowner group says.
Ramu Block 1 forest management area project committee chairman Peter Makeng said this last Wednesday during the second batch graduation of 50 students at Kumul Training Institute (KTI) Lae campus.
Eleven students from the Usino/Bundi, Middle Ramu and Madang were part of the 50 that received their certificates from the training institute.
“The area where this logging project lies is underdeveloped,” Makeng said.
“The only way we get income is from our timber, but the issue is that many foreigners are currently operating machines like dump trucks and cranes.”
Makeng witnessed the students receive their certificates in machine operations such as excavators, prime movers, forklifts and cranes and occupational health and safety.
The students were sponsored through education levies under the project’s (Middle Ramu project area) Development Trust Fund.
“I believe our students were well disciplined and now they received their certificates,” Makeng said.
“They need to work in the logging site when they we get back.
“We are losing big time, and we have seen that the only way to help ourselves is by training our young locals who are from the project area, because they know their land and whatever that is growing on it.”
KTI administrator Port Moresby campus Daniel Dopenu said the institution is trying its best to provide the best training to young people who will go back and take part in the development of their area.