TIM eMagazine Vol . 3 Issue 6
ICTSI PNG unit backs Baruni primary school
Credits : ictsi . com
P ort operator International Container Terminal Services , Inc . ( ICTSI ) continues to touch the lives of communities within its Papua New Guinea operations as wholly-owned subsidiary Motukea International Terminal ( MIT ) donated school equipment to the Baruni Primary School in the Motu-Koitabu village in Port Moresby .
Together with its corporate social responsibility ( CSR ) arm ICTSI Foundation , the Company donated 150 student desks , six teacher desks and 300 chairs for elementary school students , made possible through a memorandum of agreement with the Baruni Community Development Association ( Bacoda ). The ICTSI Foundation is also lending technical and logistics support for the implementation of various high-impact programs and projects in PNG .
The government-run primary school , built during the colonial period , serves the communities of Baruni , Tatana , Kanudi and Koukou , as well as Roku further west of Motukea Island . Like many other schools in dire need of schooling materials and facilities , Baruni Primary School is no exemption — with students forced to sit on the floor in dusty conditions .
“ More than helping improve the ports infrastructure in countries where we operate , ICTSI continues to touch on providing greater opportunities for marginalized and vulnerable sectors in the society , children in particular . Our support to the Baruni primary school , a vital facility within the immediate hinterlands of our Motukea concession , marks our continuing emphasis on education as a powerful agent in shaping the course of the community and the country ,” says Christian R . Gonzalez , ICTSI Global Corporate and Asia Pacific Head .
Edward Muttiah , ICTSI South Pacific Ltd . chief executive officer , said that the Company is delighted to be an active on-ground partner of the Baruni community in advancing their wellbeing and long-term interest .
“ We are going to be around for the next 25 years ,” Muttiah told teachers , students and parents of the Baruni school during the turn-over of new equipment last 1 August . “ Yet , we have stepped up to play our part in supporting the communities within which we operate .”
“ We are your partners for the long term . This presentation is just a token of what we wish to bring to the communities . We are indeed
Students of the Baruni primary school in Motu-Koitabu village at Port Moresby joins Edward Muttiah , ICTSI South Pacific CEO ( center ) and Filipina C . Laurena , ICTSI Foundation Deputy Executive Director ( right ) during the turn-over of tables and chairs donated by ICTSI ’ s Papua New Guine
privileged and humbled to be your partners ,” he added . The ICTSI PNG chief likewise encouraged students to take their education seriously and chase their ambitions .
“ I want you to live your dream . Maybe you want to be prime minister , or a governor , a doctor , a lawyer or a pilot ! You can become whatever you want if you work hard towards it . Let nothing be a barrier . But let a good education be your foundation ,” Muttiah said .
Opao Udia , Chairman of the Motu-Koitabu Assembly noted that the Baruni community has not received any tangible help for many years .
“ This school , which was built during the colonial era , has produced many of the country ’ s brightest minds but still remains the same in its deteriorating state ,” he said .
“ We would like to acknowledge ICTSI , who incidentally joined the community in May this year , for helping us and are already providing .”
Iduhu Erue Igo , Bacoda chairman likewise appealed to the students and teachers to bring value and lift the image of the school using the new furniture .
Igo adds that they will continue to work hand-in-hand with ICTSI to bring meaningful change to the community .
Fully committed in advancing the interests of port stakeholders in Papua New Guinea , ICTSI has other plans currently in the pipeline to support Motukea ’ s sustainable development , including a water supply project for the Baruni community .
The Company also recently signed an agreement with the Noho- Magae organization , which represents the Baruni and Tatana communities that would allow the latter to become shareholders of the MIT .
ICTSI operates the Motukea International Terminal ( MIT ), serving the capital of Port Moresby and South Pacific International Container Terminal ( SPICT ) in Lae Tidal Basin . www . ictsi . com
“ More than helping improve the ports infrastructure in countries where we operate , ICTSI continues to touch on providing greater opportunities for marginalized and vulnerable sectors in the society , children in particular . Our support to the Baruni primary school , a vital facility within the immediate hinterlands of our Motukea concession , marks our continuing emphasis on education as a powerful agent in shaping the course of the community and the country ,” says Christian R . Gonzalez , ICTSI Global Corporate and Asia Pacific Head .
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