The home of PNG’s multibillion kina Liquefied Natural Gas Project, Hela Province, is bracing for major infrastructure and social developments.
The construction launching of a road from Komo to Ajakaiba, funded by the national government under the Tax Credit Scheme administered by Oil Search Limited, is the beginning of these developments.
This project has not only brought hope and services closer to the people, but it has got the three landowner companies to work together on this major infrastructure.
The Komo LLG in the Komo Magarima electorate of Hela Province, is home to the Komo oil fields.
Ajakaiba village is in the heart of the Kutubu Oil and Gas project areas.
For the first time, these project areas and the small feeder roads in the district will be connected by the 13 kilometre Komo – Ajakaiba road.
A sum of K35 million has been released for this road project by the national government under the Tax Credit Scheme, and will be administered by Oil Search Limited.
The road will be constructed through a joint venture between the three landowner companies, Mananda Umbrella Company Joint Venture, Hides Gas Development Corporation Limited, and Kutmore Limited companies.
The road project is expected to be completed by 2015.
Despite being located in the heart of the oil and gas project areas, there are hardly any effective government services at Komo station.
The community’s illiteracy rate, health, social and law and order problems are still a concern.
At the launching of the road project yesterday, the landowners, elders and leaders of the province talked about serious improving their own livelihoods.
So much money has been pumped into the electorate through royalties, business development grants and other services; management of these funds at the provincial and local level is said to be the problem hindering service delivery.
Chairman of the Hides Special Purpose Authority Lemson Lemabe, released K1 million to the Komo LLG from the K7 million funding from the national government this year.
Mr. Lemabe also announced that K500, 000, was set aside for security operations.
He said the remaining money will be set aside for the operations of the authority and most importantly, improving health and education services.
Oil Search encouraged the people of Hela to work in unison with them and their landowner companies in order to bring more services into their electorate and enjoy all the benefits of their resources.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rPc5zpDtn4w%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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