The Gas Resources Hides 4 Limited (GRH4), a subsidiary of the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), has commissioned new science and computer laboratory facilities at Malanda Junior High School, in Komo-Hulia district in Hela Province.
This is one of a number of projects in education, health, and infrastructure sectors being developed in the Hides project area.
Funded through GRH4’s Community Investment Trust Fund (CITF), the project delivered another modern four-in-one classroom facility. Each include purpose-built science and computer laboratories, giving students practical, up-to-date environments for science, technology, and digital learning.
MRDC External Affairs Officer James Debela said the project shows how resource benefits can become lasting development outcomes.
“Modern science and computer laboratories, reliable electricity and internet connectivity are no longer optional features of education. They are essential components of quality learning. These facilities strengthen Malanda Junior High School’s ability to deliver quality learning programs while supporting its long-term growth.”
Mr Debela said that throughGRH4, Gas Resources Gigira and Gas Resources Pipeline—the corporate trustee companies representing beneficiaries of the Hides PNG LNG project—are delivering a range of social development projects across the area.
“Through these trustee companies, we are investing in classrooms, clean water and health services that will serve communities long after the projects themselves. Our commitment is to keep that investment visible, accountable and lasting.”
Education projects under way include:
Beneria Primary School – four double classrooms and five staff houses; materials are on site and construction begins this month.
Juni Junior High School – a double classroom and staff houses, nearing completion and due to open soon.
Hiwanda Primary School – a double classroom and staff house, nearing completion.
Habona Primary School – two double classrooms, four staff houses and associated infrastructure, now under construction.
Para Primary School – two staff houses and a two-storey double classroom facility.
Belopa Primary and Paduba-Likame Elementary schools – classroom and staff housing development in progress.
Health and utilities
GRH4 has begun procuring materials for the Para Community Health Post, a Level 2 Health Facility, that will bring improved healthcare closer to surrounding communities. The company is also progressing the Hides Water Supply Project, valued at approximately K9.8 million, to deliver safe and reliable water to communities across the Hides area.
Mr Debela said the breadth of these projects reflects the CITF’s purpose of enabling resource owners to direct part of their project benefits (30%) toward priorities that improve community wellbeing.
GRH4 has more than K59 million committed across education, health, utilities and community development.
The MRDC group
GRH4 is one of several MRDC subsidiaries that hold and manage landowner interests in Papua New Guinea’s resource projects. Gas Resources Gigira Limited [insert project, equity interest and current community or landowner initiatives] and Gas Resources Pipeline Limited [insert pipeline interest and associated benefit programs] operate under the same commitment: ensuring resource owners share directly in the benefits of projects on their land.
