Through mud and flood – the road to site
April 12, 2010 by sue
When the only route to site is across a flooded river…
During the days of heavy rains at the end of January the road from Madang to Ramu literally washed away. Literally chasing the rains and the rising rivers, the NCS Raibus team needed to get urgent supplies up to the Butua Site as it had been isolated, cut off by the Ramu river which had broken its banks in many places a week before.
When the road to Ramu washed away, NCS found ways around getting across
In the true sense of ‘Meeting the Challenge – Every Day’, Project Manager Rob Bennetts said “ We had been getting supplies through by transferring to dugout canoes then heading down stream & loading on to another vehicle. We did not get a photo of NCS staff loading canoes as the river was rising again and we did not want to be stuck on the other side of the river”
“At one point we did decide to cross the river and next time – if it keeps raining like this – we might consider taking our boat The Warria. You can imagine how difficult this was” he added
Meeting the Challenge: through the MUD
A typical example of how NCS go the extra mile to Meeting the Challenge – Every Day is the regular occurrence of roads being washed away in PNG’s monsoonal rains.
In early January Brian Curran and Corey Polume travelled from Lae to Wau to meet with Lydia Waengo from Wau Fresh Produce and approximately 30 Buang growers to discuss ongoing business of supply to NCS projects.
On the way they were delayed by at least five landslides on the Wau Road and a taxi truck that had also become stuck fast in mud, blocking road access both ways.
Brian (in the driver’s seat) and Corey (knee deep in mud) tried to pull the truck back with the winch on the NCS 4WD, but had no luck moving it. After 90 minutes of trying, an MMJV ‘Troopie’ was able to pull the truck forward and out ably assisted by a group of locals pushing the vehicle.
Landowners benefit by working with NCS
January 19, 2010 by sue
- Bill Muntz, General Manager of NKW Holdings Limited with Nathan Kupa who is one of the Directors of NCS Hidden Valley Limited
NKW is a Landowner business located in the Hidden Valley area and was established to provide support services to the Hidden Valley Mine project run by another Joint Venture operation, Morobe Mining Joint Venture (Harmony and Newcrest).
NKW Holdings Ltd businesses currently include transport, security and Catering – for which they have been in joint venture partnership with NCS to provide Camp Management and Catering to Hidden Valley since January 2005.
“We work in a very challenging environment. My job is to represent the Landowners and work with our business partners to provide services. I have to bring together the understanding of people and businesses – all with very different ideas and expectations.” said Mr Muntz.
NCS’s initial challenge was to provide three solid meals each day for a K10.00 manday rate. This was delivered within the contract without cutting corners on quality or service delivery. The Hidden Valley project is now seven times larger than its original feasibility.
“NCS are a trustworthy organisation. Their business processes are very professional and this has resulted in the development of a good relationship with the Client. You’ve got to be able to get on with the Client and deliver a service.” Mr Muntz continued. Mr Muntz continued to say that administering the Joint Venture is not hard work with NCS as they sort out any problems immediately.
“NCS is proactive in training which the Landowners consider important – they are willing to invest in the development of the people. Being in PNG is about getting the job done. NCS is one of the leaders in this area and continue to focus on improvement.”
PNGDF and NCS say NO to Corruption
January 19, 2010 by sue
PNGDF and NCS staff showed their support of Transparency International (TI) PNG in combating corruption and promoting openness, honesty and accountability in public and private dealings.
The PNGDF team participated in the annual Walk Again Corruption on Sunday, 14th June 2009 and gathered with approximately 3,000 people at the Murray Barracks oval to start walking at 6 am. The PNGDF team was one of 152 teams registered to walk.
Managing Lihir Shut Down with true NCS Hospitality
January 19, 2010 by sue
An important requirement on mine operations is the regular planned maintenance program or SHUT DOWN.
From 15 August – 4 September LGL, Lihir Island went through its annual shut down and the NCS team made sure that their side of the operations ran smoothly.
Wesley Tengerepa was appointed as NCS Project Manager and it was his job to supervise and manage the 18 crew to ensure that the incoming 480 shutdown crews were transferred to camp, checked in, briefed on camp rules and emergency procedures, fed well and cared for over the three week period.
Many of the NCS crew were thanked personally and also congratulated by LGL Management for their hospitality and service. Congratulations to Gus, Wesley and the team on Lihir for setting the best example for NCS.
NCS Contribution to Industry Training and Certification
January 19, 2010 by sue
NCS Project Manager Allan Atava was selected, along with other industry leaders, to participate in a workshop to review and validate the structure of the National Qualifying Framework (NQF) for Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET). This is a training package in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry for all registered training institutes in PNG. Once approved, all institutes will use this syllabus as a training guide.
The training package is standardised to suit all Tourism Operations, Catering & Hospitality firms in the country and offers courses for beginners and basic operative skills through to the National Advanced Diploma.
NATTB will also conduct training and issuing qualification for Assessors, for which NCS will nominate key personnel to attend.
Raibus Celebrates Two Years of Operation
January 19, 2010 by sue
NCS' Chinese Liaison Officer Wen Jiang gets into the spirit of cross cultural understanding with the Sing Sing group
On a balmy Saturday night in October 2009, NCS Raibus in Madang hosted a party to celebrate the first two years of operation between Raibus and MCC. Guest of honour, Mr Gu Yuxiang of MCC, joined Raibus Directors, clan leaders and representatives for a celebration featuring entertainment by a local dance group and an impressive gourmet feast.
NCS Executive Director, Marcus Gosling said “The first two years have been a major cultural challenge and we need to continue to work closely in the years ahead.”
Mr Gu added “We still have improvements to make, but have come a long way in this short time and continue to improve in our Cultural understanding.”
Raibus Chairman, Kevin Murray said “ We have a very sustainable business for our stakeholders, now and for the years to come”.
BilDevCo Landowners receive first dividend payments
January 19, 2010 by sue
NCS Kainantu assisted with the dividends directly to the 10 Landowner clans that make up joint venture partnership, BilDevCo Limited.
NCS Commercial Business Manager, Romeo Robinson, was invited to Bilimoia 1 village for the occasion by Jackson Yuave, Barrick Business Development Manager.
In his speech to Shareholders and Directors, Romeo thanked them for the invitation and stated “NCS is a PNG company and we are glad to be in a joint venture arrangement with you. We have been waiting for a meeting like this, especially to witness dividend payments to shareholders in the village”.
He continued “This distribution of benefits is one we’ve worked hard to earn together. We hope this is the first of many opportunities for NCS to celebrate the success of our businesses with our many JV businesses” said Romeo.
“We run our joint venture business in a transparent manner, and I look forward to the partnership continuing in the years ahead” Romeo continued.
NCS Driver Safety Program
January 19, 2010 by sue
NSC is developing a new Driver Safety Program to be introduced at all project sites in early 2010. The aim is to further improve NCS driver education and awareness and improve its safety record whilst on the road.
Group Operations Manager, Brian Curran, said “Ensuring the health and safety of staff is our number one priority. Helping improve the competency and experience of our drivers and minimising lost time, vehicle damage and any potential for loss of lives is imperative.”
The program will reinforce staff responsibilities for company vehicles, passengers, cargo, other drivers and the general community as well as include road competency tests and compliance tracking of drivers’ licences, vehicle registration and safety sticker renewals.
In addition, forklift and sea craft operating procedures will be included with focus on the following Accident Prevention Formula:
1. Recognise the hazard
2. Understand the defence
3. Act in time.
All NCS drivers will be required to complete the program and participate in toolbox talks, video and power point presentations. Drivers at NCS sites in Morobe and Madang Provinces will be the first to undertake the program.
Proactive Response to Cholera Outbreak
January 19, 2010 by sue
As news of the Cholera outbreak in Papua New Guinea spread, NCS Project Managers took immediate and proactive steps to ward off any on-site threat.
When news broke of a State of Emergency being implemented due to the outbreak in Wasa, Morobe Province, NCS acted immediately to ensure steps were taken to prevent any occurrence of the highly contagious disease.
An urgent memo was distributed to all sites at 8 am and within the hour news was received that water testing and reinforcement of hygiene standards and procedures were immediately actioned.
When Cholera was reported to have spread to Lae it caused some panic, particularly for staff and students of the University of Technology, one of NCS’s sites. In order to address this, an information forum was convened by the student body to inform and reassure that the issue was being taken care of with the utmost urgency.
NCS Project Manager, Allan Atava, was asked to present at the forum. “My role was to give assurance and guarantee that their meal at the mess was safe for consumption” Allan said. “I spoke about the systems we have in place in food management and the guidelines we follow in food and personal hygiene”. Three doctors also presenting spoke specifically about the disease, its symptoms and precautionary measures.
Over 1,000 people attended the forum. Marcus Gosling, NCS Executive Director, said “After initial talk of closing the University down, the outcome was very good. It was an important way to calm people down after a day of panic.”
NCS Apprentices become Chefs
January 19, 2010 by sue
This group of apprentices included Paul Basil, Maggie Nonafo, Joanne Siria, Noelyn Tolopi, Kagowe Yandi and Elly Anawa from NCS
NCS Apprentices from Kainantu, PNGDF, Lihir and Hidden Valley were in Lae recently to complete their Extension Two studies in Hospitality and Tourism. On successfully completing this block of theory and practical assessments they will be fully qualified Chefs. We wish them all the best with their exams.
Apprentices expressed their appreciation for NCS’s support to attend the Cookery Extension Course as part of the Apprenticeship Training Program.
“This program has enabled us to become skilled in the trade as Chefs and meet the demand of the growing hospitality industry in PNG.” said one participant. “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to realise our dreams of becoming fully qualified professionals”.
“I would not have come this far without your help and support. I hope you will continue to provide the same support you’ve given me to other upcoming Apprentices” said another participant.
NCS Raibus signed up their first four apprentices from the Ramu Nickel site at Karumbukari and there will be four more from the Basamuk site by Christmas.
Training in 2010 will be conducted in NCS’s new training centre on Lihir Island.
