- 20.6 million kina spent on community investment programs, including education and community-based projects, in 2019.
- Almost 77 million kina spent on infrastructure enhancements, including the construction of a new health centre facilities.
The 2019 annual PNG LNG Environmental and Social Report has been released, outlining production and project activities from 1 January to 31 December 2019.
The 84-page report highlights multiple facets of the PNG LNG Project, operated by ExxonMobil PNG, in what was a milestone year.
2019 marked ten years of partnership with local landowners companies the Hides Gas Development Company, Laba Holdings Limited and Trans Wonderland Limited.
Across its production related activities, the Project engaged 13 Lancos companies and 270 non-Lanco Papua New Guinean businesses.
The report also highlights the growth in skills distribution through training and employment opportunities. By the end of 2019, more than 96,700 hours of training was delivered through more than 2,570 courses, and 3,964 employees and contractors were working in production-related roles with the PNG LNG Project. Eighty-six per cent of the workforce comprised of Papua New Guinean citizens.
Andrew Barry, Managing Director at ExxonMobil PNG, said he was proud the PNG LNG Project could support so many local businesses and create job opportunities for Papua New Guineans.
“The partnerships the Project has made and generated over the past ten years, and the mutual support and hard work of the PNG LNG workforce, co-venturers, suppliers, communities, landowners and the PNG Government, have all contributed to our achievements of 2019.
“Supporting these partners is a priority for us. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” said Mr Barry.
Throughout 2019, more than 20.6 million kina was spent on community investment programs involving education, health, community infrastructure and environmental projects.
ExxonMobil PNG’s Environment and Biodiversity team was recognised for its work to protect and conserve PNG’s unique biodiversity across communities in the PNG LNG Project areas, receiving the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum award for Outstanding Environmental Initiative in 2019.
“We are humbled by the passion our workforce has in protecting this beautiful country and remain committed to safeguarding Papua New Guinean’s unique biodiversity by operating the PNG LNG Project in an environmentally responsible way.
“Across the PNG LNG Project, our workforce believes in the importance of building the capacity of all Papua New Guineans, so they too can play a strong role in protecting their environment today, for their people tomorrow, said Mr Barry.
Whilst supporting all the events that 2019 delivered, the PNG LNG Project continues its path to help people, communities and this country move forward.
“We remain committed to creating partnerships that drive positive change in the communities in which we operate and supporting the Papua New Guinean Government in its long-term healthcare preparedness efforts, following the global coronavirus pandemic,” said Mr Barry.
The 2019 Environmental and Social Report is available on the PNG LNG website at www.pnglng.com.