Ok Tedi Mining Limited has commenced phase 2 of the Tax Credit Scheme funded Oksapmin Secondary School Development project.
Hausman Building Solutions has been awarded the contract to build new dormitories, ablution blocks and a mess hall.
Upon completion, the project is expected to cost K36 million. Learning facilities and infrastructure that have been completed under phase 1 of the project include 2 two-level double classrooms, an administration building, science laboratory, library and seven teachers’ houses.
The project, which was initiated in 2008, has seen its share of setbacks in implementation mainly due to logistical issues, harsh weather conditions, contractor non-performance, OTML’s temporary dry weather stand-down in 2015 to 2016 and disruptions from landowners.
OTML’s Economic Programs Manager, Steve Hoap, in announcing the commencement of phase 2 of the project, appealed to the community to take ownership of the project by allowing the contractor to complete the works without landowner related disruptions.
“This project is important to us as education is our means to development and improved living standards later in life,” stated Hoap.
“We must work alongside the contractor and not disrupt their progress in completing this project. It is in our best interests that this project is happening so that we have a sustainable development platform for the future.”
Also present at the event was the local member for Telefomin District and Forest Minister, Solan Mirisim, who took the time to thank all stakeholders involved in the project initially and to this date.
“I would like to thank OTML, the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) and the contractor, Hausman Building Solutions for coming together to complete this project.
“I am here to appeal to the people of Oksapmin to stop being disruptive in the project’s progress but to work alongside the stakeholders and contractors to ensure the project is completed in a timely manner,” Mirisim said.
The school has recently been registered as and upgraded to a secondary school level and is set to recruit between 40 to 60 intakes for Grade 11 next year (2020).
“This school will bring big changes to Oksapmin, we will have more students continuing their education right at their doorstep, and they will have further chance at their education development and can bring back a lot to the community if they are educated,” he said.
The school, once opened, will assist to address the high number of students who finish grade 10 and have no placement in other secondary schools in the province.
This will also ease the financial pains of parents and guardians who go out of their way to look for money to pay for travel expenses, among others, to ensure their children go to school within the province or outside to complete their education.
The intake will be boosted by its two feeder schools; Bak and Oksapmin Primary School.
(The local people of Tekin, Telefomin District, West Sepik Province)