The Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) in partnership with the Gas Resources Pipeline Limited (GR Pipeline Limited) has commenced the construction of the Keiyu Elementary School in Kikori, Gulf Province.

Located in Iba village along the PNG LNG Gas pipeline footprint, this is a completely new school funded by GR Pipeline Limited, an MRDC landowner subsidiary company.

The school will have a staff house and one double-classroom built at a cost of a little over K700,000 through the Community Investment Trust Fund (CITF) managed by MRDC on behalf of its landowner subsidiary companies.

The CITF program is aimed at providing critical services in Health, Education, Social and Economic sectors to improve the quality of life of project beneficiaries.

This is part of several educational infrastructure projects built by MRDC in partnership with Gas Resources Pipeline Limited in Kikori.

MRDC managing director and chief executive officer Augustine Mano said MRDC CITF projects is narrowing the gap in improving the quality of life in project areas, districts and host provinces.

“The focus is on quality education and health facilities,” Mr Mano said.

Through the CITF program, over K80 million has been spent since 2017 in providing critical infrastructures in project impacted communities.

These communities in Kikori are PNG LNG Pipeline landowners who get royalty and equity payments from the PNG LNG project because the gas pipeline runs through their land.

Approximately 30% of their royalty and equity benefits is spent on the CITF program managed by MRDC.