Augustine Mano

Managing Director, Augustine Mano said that the Community Infrastructure Trust Fund (CITF) will focus on delivering clean water, improved health and education services, and lifting agriculture production.

He said: “Your Future Generation Funds will also be invested wisely, so when the Ok Tedi Mine closes down in 10 years’ time, you have a sustainable flow of income from investments to support you into the future.

Mano made these remarks following Sir Moi Ave’s retirement announcement as Chairman of Ok Tedi Mining Limited.

Sir Moi Ave held the position for the past six years.

Mano said, “In the last 6 years, Sir Moi has presided over transformational change at the mine which has resulted in improved efficiency of its operations, extension of mine life, and increased benefits to all stakeholders.”

The Benefit rollout is the first since the signing of the Umbrella benefit Sharing Agreement (UBSA) in 2009 and the first flow through and shipment of LNG in 2014.

This follows the completion of landowner identification, the opening of clan bank accounts, and the election of directors to the board of their landowner company.

It was a historic occasion with Petroleum Minister, Kerenga Kua, and Gulf Governor, Chris Haiveta, accompanying Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) Managing Director, Augustine Mano, to announce the benefit roll out in Kikori on Wednesday.

However, he clarified that the charges were not to do with MRDC but he was charged under section 23 (1) (a) (b) (c) (i) of the Cybercrime Act 2016 for cyber harassment of a Philip Kende.

Police have alleged that he has initiated and facilitated a series of WhatsApp messages with certain unknown persons from June 1, 2019, to July 1, 2019, for the purpose of harassing and threatening Philip Kende.

Mano has completely denied those allegations, saying they are baseless and false and who was framed by persons with ill intentions to tarnish his name and reputation.

This follows the previous announcement by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in Parliament recently.

Responding to questions from this newsroom, Mano said there was no sale but offers were made.

“Currently there is no sale as announced by PM,” said Mano.

“There are a couple of very good offers which management is looking at but ultimately the decision to approve the sale will be the shareholders who will decide, based on their expectations and aspiration,” said Mano.

Speaking at the launching of the Boera Primary School teachers’ accommodation on 23^rd October, Mano said they will start the process of opening the accounts so that landowners from the segments can elect their directors.

This will enable the flow of benefits – such as royalties – to them.

The K500,000 refurbishment was made possible thanks to the funding support of the Mineral Resources Development Corporation and landowners who own the soon-to-be completed Star Mountain Plaza in Port Moresby.

The Hohola police station sits ideally at the corner in the city’s oldest suburb; it has been around since 1974, what you see today is one of the first refurbishments since that time.

The transformation has brought about positive vibes for the police officers that work here.

Managing Director for Mineral Resource Development Company (MRDC), Augustine Mano announced this after the media was given a tour of the project site.

The prestigious hotel will have more than 200 rooms and will be managed solely by the Hilton Group of Company.

Mano said the landowners will take 80% and the Government 20% in the project.

“MRDC has invested more than K200 million in the Star Mountain project.”

Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) Managing Director, Augustine Mano, said this on Tuesday during the Inaugural Petroleum and Energy Summit in Port Moresby.

Mano told existing and potential investors that equitable participation across the value chain of projects was needed to off-set falling oil prices which significantly affected royalty payments for landowners.

He highlighted 2016 and how low commodity prices and forex issues significantly affected landowner royalties.

After hearing all their concerns, the ministers have asked the landowners to come back and meet with them after parliament next week and within 30 days.

That is when they also plan to talk to Justice Ambeng Kandakasi to see how they can speed up the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process. This is to ensure the method of paying royalties and development levies, including the 2 percent free carry equities, are freed up for distribution.