Apart from its mining activities, Ramu NiCo also focuses on building better livelihoods for the people living in its project-impact areas by contributing in infrastructure projects and other programs that are beneficial to the people.
On Tuesday 17 December, Ramu NiCo in partnership with its Coastal Pipeline Landowners Association (CPL LOA) and Evangelical Brotherhood Church (EBC) Ramu NiCo opens a new Community Health Post (CHP) level one in Bugajim Community in Astralobe Bay Local Level Government (LLG), Rai Coast District.
The new clinic now houses a labor room, and two other rooms for treating various common sicknesses such as flu, malaria, asthma, fever, diarrhea, and other illnesses.
The clinic is now capable of serving more mothers, children, and other sick patients from the local areas. The facility aims to improve access to medical care and address ongoing health challenges faced by the villagers.
The event commenced with the welcoming of a delegation, cutting of the ribbon of the new clinic, and ending with speeches.
At the opening ceremony, Ramu NiCo Community Affairs Department (CA) General Manager Mr. Eric Kuman highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting the local communities by paying royalties and collaborating in infrastructure programs.
He told the landowners and local-level government that the company pays large sums of money as royalties to Madang Provincial Government, Local Level Governments,LOAs and they must not misuse the funds but utilize them for the benefit of the people.
.”There’s a lot of money that can serve the people, please put it to the right use, and let us serve the people,” Mr Kuman said.
“The company does its part in putting the money and if LOA and LLG work together, the communities will see developments like the new clinic,” he added said.
Ramu NiCo has designed an avenue for the Landowner Associations, Kurumbukari, Inland Pipeline, Basamuk, and Coastal Pipeline to represent the local people and work with the company.
Mr. Kuman applauds Coastal Pipeline under the leadership of Mr. Steven Saud and his LOA committee for the contribution they made to building projects in Astralobe Bay LLG through the Community Development Fund Program (CDF) subsidized by Ramu NiCo.
” CPL is under the leadership of Mr. Saud, is focusing on adding values in the project footprint areas by putting the money they receive into schools and health services”, Mr. Kuman said.
Mr. Kuman told the LLG president and the Coastal Pipelines to maintain the relationship, which they have established recently to support the people.
He also appealed to the Madang Provincial Health Authority Director Public Health to continue supplying medical drugs for the health centre so there can be surplus of medicines to serve the people at all times.
Mr Saud as Coastal Pipelines Chairman said the funds they received from Ramu NiCo have been utilized to build health and education facilities in Astrolabe Bay LLG.
“The funds we received from Ramu NiCo have assisted us in building classrooms and teachers’ houses and today we will witness the opening of this health center”, Mr Saud said.
He told the people to take care of the new facility so it could last for a long time.
Mr Saud said the clinic is not fully equipped because there are still work to be done, such as providing the equipment and medical drugs for health workers to operate.
He says the Coastal Pipeline is looking forward to collaborate with any organization to build infrastructures and bring services to the people of Astrolabe Bay LLG.
With the new establishment of the clinic, the people of Bom village and the surrounding villages can have access to health services at their doorstep instead of traveling to Madang Provincial Hospital in town.
The people of Bom village have expressed their gratitude to Ramu NiCo for always extending their hands to fund and provide basic services to the people of Astrolabe Bay LLG.

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