COMMUNITY SUPPORT
EDUCATION
CLINIC SERVICES
CLINIC SERVICES
OBT provides education supports within the Open Bay township, which is also supported by the PNG government. The company constructed the Open Bay Primary School and provided furniture and fixtures, stationery, electricity, water supply, and other services. The company also erected a double-classroom primary school in Matanakunai and gave school tables to Mandarabit, one of the nearby communities, as part of its education support.
CLINIC SERVICES
CLINIC SERVICES
CLINIC SERVICES
OBT has its own clinic to offer medical care to both its employees and the surrounding communities. OBT clinic staff conducted monthly services to the community within the operation areas, especially in Warakina, Mevelo, Pale, and other village communities outside of the project area, e.g., Point Mambu, Point Yar, Baobao, etc.
OTHER SERVICES
REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES
OBT provides repair and maintenance of vehicles in its own workshop to sustain its operations. Landowners, communities, and government officers who possess vehicles, including highway cars, are eligible for this service.
FREE TRANSPORATION
OBT provides free transportation to landowners and the local community throughout the gardening schedule and during the fortnightly week for employees to get their pay, mothers from the village to go to the market and sell the produce from their gardens, as well as for school, church, and community events. Additionally, transportation is offered in case of an emergency at the clinic for patients being sent from Open Bay to the local hospital, for burial, for rescue, etc.
VILLAGE ROAD MAINTENANCE
OBT constructed roads in the lease area and extended them to other villages to allow access for the locals and the tribe both inside and outside of the lease area. The company is still maintaining the East-West New Britain highway, which is currently a national highway, at its own cost. Additionally, the business constructed culverts and bridges in the lease area.
CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR, AND MAINTENANCE OF HOUSES, BUILDING AND BRIDGES
OBT ensures that its workers and dependents have sufficient accommodation and also works closely with stakeholders to assist them in building or repairing their homes by applying for housing projects or job orders. The company offers lumber and labor to assist the community, particularly churches, and schools, with the building, maintenance, and repair of homes and buildings. Special projects, such as the construction of bridges, are offered with the agreement of landowners and management. Additionally, making and supplying coffins for the deceased in the nearby communities and within the Open Bay area.
ELECTRICITY
OBT provides electricity to its workers’ accommodations, including the school, clinic, and churches. Additionally, a solar panel for emergency use was constructed at the clinic. When requested, the electricity is switched on, notably for funerals, church services, school functions, and community activities.
ECONOMIC SERVICES
OBT promotes, supports, encourages, and assists indigenous individuals, groups, and local enterprises that are capable of either providing goods or services directly or indirectly in support of the project agreement. The company has its own store that caters to the needs of its employees and local communities. Open market spaces are also built and provided, allowing mothers to sell their produce.
TRAINING AND COMMUNITY AWARENESS
OBT also provides training and awareness to landowners and local communities such as cacao plantation management, first aid, company operations, environmental protection, high conservation value areas, forest protection, etc.
AGROFORESTRY
OBT encourages landowners to interplant Kamarere (Eucalyptus deglupta) in their gardens and also establish Cacao (Theobroma cacao) plantations. Kamarere seedlings and cacao grafted seedlings are given away for free, including transport. OBT selects those who have proven existing plantations and gives them free seedlings. Technical advice and training are also provided for local cocoa farmers such as cacao plantation establishment and management, and pests and diseases handling.
GARDEN AREAS
OBT allows the employees, landowners, and local communities to make temporally gardens inside the newly harvested areas within its concession area to sustain their needs and livelihoods.
SPORTS ACTIVITIES
OBT initiated the MD Cup in order to promote sportsmanship, friendship, self-esteem, learning and developing social skills, and promoting values, decision-making capacity, and responsibilities among its employees and their families.
SPONSORSHIP
OBT is a minor sponsor of one of the national rugby teams, the AGMARK GURIAS.