Issue 31 - PNG LNG Project

w w w. p n gln g. co m
I S S U E NO 3 1
O C TO B E R 2 0 1 3
Councillors counsel workers on demobilisation
P
reparing for demobilisation was the topic
of discussion during a visit from three Hiri
Councillors to the Plant Site earlier this month.
Speaking to LAG members at the Camp B K2
mess hall, the councillors encouraged everyone
to be ready for the completion phase of Project
construction.
“Demobilisation is a fact; it is happening,
and we must prepare ourselves now,” said
Porebada Councillor Tasman Taumaku. “This
is not the end. Value the experience and skills
you have learned here; they can assist you in
the future to look for jobs.”
Comfortably seated for finals
Jetty exlcusion zones2
Above, from left: EHL Contractor Interface & Compliance Lead Peter Hutchins joins Councillors Tarata Geita (Papa),
Tasman Taumaku (Porebada), Vavine Dai (Boera), LAG Operations Manager Lee Davis and LAG General Manager Jim
Anderson during their meeting with LAG personnel (right and bottom) on 3 October.
Community matters
Learning how to treat others3
“With demobilisation in progress, many will
be going back home to the village,” he said.
“Through their experiences and what they
have learned on site, it is important that when
they do go home, they do not forget what
they have learned.”
“We don’t want trouble caused in the village
about being demobilised and leaving the
workforce,” she said.
2
Hooked on surveys3
Similarly, Papa Councillor Tarata Geita told EHL
representatives he is hopeful LAG members
will remember what they have learned.
Speaking to the workers, Boera Councillor
Vavine Dai said preparing for demobilisation
is important. Along with encouraging them
to use their skills to look for jobs elsewhere,
Councillor Dai advised everyone to behave
responsibly.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
LAG member Morea Uru from Lealea agrees
that everyone must be responsible at home
and at work, and make the best of their
experiences on the Project.
Idau Vasiri from Porebada said she was happy
with the meeting and suggests that all workers
should follow the advice of the councillors.
“It was a very good presentation from the
councillors, who gave good advice to the
“We as workers must not blame leaders on
workers,” Idau said. “Now it is up to us as
site for demobilisation,” he said. “We have to
take on what we learned as something positive individuals to take on what the councillors
have said today.”
when we leave.”
4
Kids Kona
4
when you leave, the desks are in
good condition for the next group
of students,” Unage said.
(From left) Lealea Primary teacher Joseph Kolowa gives a thumbs up as EHL Community Affairs Officer Unage Maraga hands over
desks to the school’s Grade 8 students via Deputy Head Teacher Kwara Kwara.
D
uring recess time a few
weeks back, Lealea Primary
students got just the break
they needed: 20 desks in time for
exams.
Toea’s colourful adventure
Councillors counsel workers
“These desks are right in time
for the Grade 8 students to use
during their final examinations,”
said Deputy Head Teacher Kwara
Kwara at the handover ceremony
on 2 October.
“Before there were three students
sharing a desk, but now with
the new desks there will be two
students to a desk, which is the
right ratio.”
Speaking to the students and
teachers, EHL Community Affairs
Officer Unage Maraga explained
that the desk contribution is part
of the Project’s Schools Program
and its ongoing support of schools
in the Plant Site area.
Along with asking the students to
take care of the equipment, Unage
encouraged them to think about
their future and the importance of
education.
“Please follow the school rules by
taking care of the desks so that
“Also, I encourage you to read
more books and make it a priority
to learn.”
Mr Kwara thanked EHL for the
continuous support towards
motivating and improving the
students’ learning.
“On behalf of Lealea Primary
School, Board of Management and
the Community, I would like to
say thank you EHL for contributing
towards the education of our
young generation.”
New community councillors come to site to meet with LAG personnel
R
ecently elected councillors from
Papa, Boera and Porebada made
a return visit to the Plant Site earlier
this month following their request
to speak to Laba Alliance Group
personnel.
Toea loves to colour and is exploring
what he can create by mixing two
different colours together.
For example when he mixed white
and red, he created pink.
“I’m happy to be here,” said Papa
Councillor Tarata Geita. “It is good
to interact with locals and see where
they work.”
Help Toea mix the colours on the
right to make new shades.
Place your answers in the box
provided.
The main reason for their visit was
to speak to the workers about
preparing for demobilisation. To find
out what they had to say, and the
response from LAG members, see
“Councillors counsel workers on
demobilisation” on the back page.
Answers: white, blue, yellow, purple
PAGE 2
PAG E 3
I SSU E NO 3 1 , O C TO BE R 2 0 1 3
Jetty exclusion and restriction zones
Hooked on surveys
Jetty underpass and onshore access planned for local villagers
Project reeling in useful fisheries data
In the catch landing survey, the fisheries
assistants interview individual and group fishers
who volunteer to provide details about their
catch.
Community members learned that local vessels
would be able to travel through or fish in
the shipping channel in the absence of LNG
tankers; but when the ships enter or exit the
channel, it is essential that everyone adheres
to the restriction zone. The exclusion zone,
however, will be permanently off limits.
“The establishment of a permanent jetty
exclusion zone and restricted zone is essential
for community safety and security as well as
for the Project,” explains Tim Kelly, LNG Plant
Marine Superintendent.
To this end, Tim says that there will be patrol
boats in the jetty area and shipping channel to
ensure that the area is clear of other vessels.
Security personnel will also be present at
designated locations along the jetty.
Access to fishing areas
K
eeping communities aware of Project
activities, and seeking the best solutions for
all parties involved, is a continuous priority for
the Plant Site’s External Affairs team.
Supporting this commitment, the team recently
invited EHL’s marine operations and shipping
personnel to join them for meetings in Papa,
Lealea, Boera and Porebada.
The reason for the engagements was to
inform local villagers about upcoming shipping
operations, particularly the disclosure of the
The Project will be providing a jetty underpass
to give people easy access and shorter travel
distance to fishing areas.
permanent jetty exclusion zone and restriction
zone along the LNG shipping channel.
“We involved EHL’s marine operations and
shipping team in these meetings to provide the
specific details of the permanent jetty exclusion
zone,” explains EHL Stakeholder Engagement
Lead Patricia Gau.
The meetings also included discussions about
the upcoming restriction zone that will be in
effect only when ships enter or exit the channel
to and from the jetty.
People will also have access onshore through
the mudflats to access mangroves and crabs for
their household.
“The Project’s goal is to keep everyone safe
during operations; but, equally, we want to
give our good neighbours easy access to fishing
grounds,” says Patricia.
“With cooperation and understanding by
Project and communities, this arrangement will
benefit all and keep everyone safe.”
“The survey captures information about the
type, quantity and size of the catch as well as
other information including fishing trip and
effort, fishing habitat and the vessel they used
for the fishing trip,” Selma explains.
Boera village children weigh their mixed reef fish before
taking it to the market for sale.
A
“Apart from fish species, the survey also records
invertebrates such as crabs, shells, octopuses,
squids and turtles.”
fisheries program established in 2010 has
turned into a win/win situation for both the
Project and communities around the Plant Site.
This documented information may also prove
valuable to local fishermen, as the data is proof
of their activities.
“The information collected in the surveys is an
essential means for the PNG LNG Project to
determine the impact its activities are having
on the local fisheries,” explains Fisheries Officer
Selma Pamolak.
Latest surveys
“Since last year, however, we saw an
opportunity to take the program a step further
by hiring and training fisheries assistants in
Papa, Lealea, Boera and Porebada to assist in
carrying out the surveys.”
Survey type and timing
Every quarter, the fisheries team conducts the
catch landing survey; and once a year, it carries
out three additional surveys on mangrove use,
waterway traffic and village vessel inventory.
Above: Porebada fishermen sell their catch, Chanos
Chanos (Milk Fish). Below: Porebada children view their
families’ catch of the day, Tylosorus Crocodilus, commonly
known in Caution Bay as Long Tom Fish.
From 23 September to 4 October, the team ran
the catch landing survey in parallel with the
waterway traffic survey in Papa.
The waterway traffic survey documents the
frequency of vessels that travel to and from the
jetty area.
It also captures the type, location and time the
vessel was sighted as well as a photo.
Selma says the surveys take a lot of effort and
would not be possible without the cooperation
and input from the local assistants and
fishermen in all four villages.
“Thank you to everyone for their support
throughout these surveys,” she says. “The data
collected is very important to both the Project
and villages around the Plant Site.”
Community matters
Learning how to treat others
Patricia Gau takes on role of Stakeholder Engagement Lead
Project funds first aid classes for Plant Site area teachers and students
around the Plant Site sharing information and
answering questions about Project activities
from local residents.
Another role that Andrew was strongly
dedicated to involved sharing his knowledge
and training local team members to take a lead
role in the community.
One of those members is Patricia Gau. Job
shadowing Andrew for two years, Patricia has
taken over the Stakeholder Engagement Lead
position.
S
aying goodbye to people you’ve worked with
for a long time is never easy; but as expat
members well know, it is the natural progression
of project work.
“I certainly have big shoes to fill,” Patricia says,
“but I am confident that the skills I learned
from Andrew during my time with him will help
me continue the great relationships we have
developed with our communities.”
“We understand our time on such projects is
limited,” says Andrew Glasson, who demobilised EHL External Affairs Manager Michael Smith
from the PNG LNG Project earlier this month.
agrees saying Patricia will do a great job with
the skills she has developed through Andrew’s
“I have been here for more than three years,
guidance.
and the time has come for me to move on.”
“During his time in PNG, Andrew built fantastic
In his role as Stakeholder Engagement Lead,
relationships throughout the communities,” says
Andrew spent a lot of time in the communities
Michael.
After two years on the Plant Site Stakeholder
Engagement Team, Patricia Gau – (above) in Lealea
on 30 September – is ready to take on her new
lead role. Andrew Glasson (left) completed his
last duties as EHL Stakeholder Engagement Lead
with community visits in Lealea and Papa on 30
September and 1 October respectively.
St. John Ambulance trainer Ronny Kave teaches Redscar students – including Sam Peter and Riu Francis – important first aid techniques during the two-day course last month.
I
f an accident happens in communities and
schools around the Plant Site, there are many
people who now know what to do.
“These relationships helped Andrew and his
team form an important link by continually
building Community-Project understanding. I am
confident that Patricia will carry on this legacy.”
“When there are incidents in school, especially
with the children, I can help,” says Boera
Primary School teacher Dianne Solulu Wepin.
“I can also help my family at home.”
The Project extends thanks to Andrew for his
valuable contributions including the skills and
expertise he has transferred to Patricia and the
local External Affairs team.
Dianne is among a number of local teachers
and students who have gained confidence after
taking basic first aid training at Redscar High
School last month.
Offered by St. John Ambulance trainers and
funded by Esso Highlands Limited through Laba,
the course attracted 32 participants from nine
schools in Porebada, Boera, Papa and Lealea.
During the two-day training, which took place
on 24-25 September, 16 teachers attended one
class, while 16 Grade 9 students from Redscar
High School attended the other.
“I can use the training I learned back in the
village,” reported Porebada student Lulu Lucas.
“Not all people know first aid, and I am happy
to be able to share this information with my
family.”
Like everyone who attended the course, primary
school teacher Mark Erico is pleased with the
potential lifesaving knowledge that the first aid
training has supplied.
“You never know when you will need these
skills,” says Mark, “which will benefit everyone,
including our families and community.”