9th October 2024 – TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited (TotalEnergies), operator of the Papua LNG project, in the presence of Project partners, inaugurated several community infrastructure projects in Mapaio village, Baimuru LLG, Kikori District, Gulf Province on October 9, 2024.
Working in close collaboration with the Gulf Provincial Administration and the community, to ensure that education services are accessible to all children, the Project has provided a double classroom for Mapaio Primary School in addition to a 9500litre community water tank.
The new double classroom will allow for a conducive workspace for the 153 students attending the primary school and support the four teachers currently looking after Grades Four, Six, Seven and Eight.
The existing classrooms, built by the Australian Government through Australian Aid in 2002, had since deteriorated. The need to improve this facility was identified through various engagements and socio-economic studies that have been conducted and in August 2024, TotalEnergies engaged nationally owned and operated Pacific Development Construction (PDC), to construct the double classroom.
It is the hope that the three Community water tanks provided, one placed beside the school and two within the village, will enable a community of over 1,000 people, improve their access to clean water and sanitary conditions.
TotalEnergies Health, Safety, Societal & Environment Director Marie-Alix Dognin, while speaking at the inauguration, emphasized the importance of health and education, as key pillars for any society.
“The boys and the girls, who are the future of this community, must have access to better and improved education and these facilities are in place, to help to achieve the Vision of the Government, “that no-one gets left behind,” she said.
Mapaio Primary School Board Chairman Cain Lala, in his opening remarks, thanked TotalEnergies for their contribution to the community of Mapaio, especially through the supply of teaching materials and double classroom.
“I am more than happy that one of our worries is solved. I appreciate the fact that this classroom, improves the school. We highly appreciate the fact that the company for their contribution – this is a great thing to us which we shall hold dearly in our hearts,” he said.
Present to witness the event were representatives from the Gulf Provincial Government Education Division, PDC, Baimuru Development Authority and the Project.
