Ok Tedi Mining (OTML) has awarded a road construction contract worth K36.1 million ($14.9 million) to a local company to connect the villages of Atemkit and Kavorabip.
Located in the North Fly District in Western Province, the two villages are currently only accessible by helicopter. The villages’ people include the principle landowners of the Ok Tedi mine.
OTML awarded the contract to local company Fly Engineering and Asset Management (FEAML), which will complete the road within the next two and a half years.
The contract was made possible through the PNG Government’s Tax Credit Scheme.
“The people of Atemkit and Kavorabip are principle landowners just like the people of Finalbin and Bultem,” OTML managing director and chief executive officer Kedi Ilimbit said.
“Unfortunately it took Ok Tedi and the [PNG] Government too long to recognise them through such infrastructure projects.
“Today we are witnessing the signing of a road construction project that will link these very people to the rest of Western Province.”
North Fly Member of Parliament James Donald thanked OTML and the PNG Government for their collaboration.
“Though this has taken a long time, we are thankful and grateful for this project to finally begin,” Donald said.
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