Ramu NiCo’s rural women landowner association, Coastal Pipeline Women’s Association (CPLWA)presented in pure “Tok Pisin” with power and Authority apart from all other presenters who presented in English at the inaugural PNG Community Affairs and National Content Conference & Expo (CANCONEX) in Lae, Morobe Province recently.
The Ramu NiCo CPLWA presented their association structure and local small to medium enterprise (SME) projects during the recent PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum Conference in Lae, Morobe Province. Their presentation was a clear indication of rural mothers who have little or no formal education background but have heart of gold to make use of their one percent (1%) royalty benefit as their portion from the Ramu Nickel and Cobalt Project in Madang Province.
The CPLWA is among the four zones or communities that are located along the corridor of the Ramu Nickel and Cobalt Project operated by Ramu NiCo.
The association’s presentation stood out as they did their presentation with pride among fellow resource landowners and developers who presented their reports in English and part Tok Pisin, an indication of their respective educational background.
The Association’s Chairlady Ruith Kamai Yadi did the presentation fully embracing the national language (Tok-Pisin) on Tuesday 29th of August, accompanied with their video slide and PowerPoint presentation produced by Ramu NiCo’s Community Affairs and Corporate Departments at the Rose Kekedo Lecture Theater (RKLT) at the University of Technology in Lae.
Deputy General Manager of Ramu NiCo’s Community Affairs Department Albert Tobe said, “This women group has little or no formal education and they are rural women along the projects corridor who have fully utilized their one percent (1%) royalty portion setting a benchmark for other landowner associations in the project’s corridor.”
He said through their interest, the Coastal Pipeline Landowner Women’s Association has always sought advice and mentoring from the Community Affairs Department and are now financially capable in their endeavors in sustaining their livelihoods by acquiring financial assistance from the People’s Micro Bank Branch in Madang.
“The Coastal Pipeline Women’s Association consists of 3,000 local mothers who have no formal education but are very successful in maintaining their projects through advice and taking risks in their business ideas,” Tobe said.
He said their good relationship with the People’s Micro Bank Branch in Madang Province has also assisted them in conducting financial literacy training for them to maintain their SME for their association.
The CPLWA Chairlady said the association now are proud to own 4 dinghies, two trucks and other small projects such as trade store, poultry and selling of fuel at respective villages.
Mrs. Ruth Kamai Yadi said there are some challenges that affect the association’s process but through the assistance and cooperation from the Mineral Resource Authority (MRA) and Ramu Nickel and Cobalt Project’s Community Affairs Department, they were motivated to continue endeavors towards improved living in their communities.
She said the success of their association is not about educational background but depends on good collaboration between the developers, financial institution and willing hearts to learn new things.
“Our projects exist because of the motivation and encouragement that we receive every day from the Community Affairs Department of Ramu NiCo. Our projects not only depend on the royalty payments but also actions to make profit from our shared portion of the royalty,” the chairlady said.
Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Limited also presented on their benefit-sharing programs in the Community Projects Corridor and stated how the Community Affairs Department has been assisting in programs such as training, lands and compensation, Community Development Fund Programs, as well as employment structure of the mine.
