NCS commences at Wafi and Demakwa Camps

With NCS already providing services on Lihir and Hidden Valley for Newcrest and Morobe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV), NCS worked hard to be the front runners for the catering contract at the Wafi Golpu project.

General Manger of Operations, Brian Curran believes that the quality of food and service, our proven success, longevity in operating projects for our clients and our reputation as the industry leader positioned us well to secure the contract.

Discussions about securing this significant business for NCS have been happening in fact for some years at the upper echelons of our organisations. It has been in the last 15 months that negotiations have got down to “tin tacs”. As part of our due diligence, NCS’ senior team including Brian Curran, Operations Manager Mick Pye and General Manager of HSEQ and Training, Julian Fenn travelled to both sites to assess facilities and requirements, before fine tuning the agreements prior to mobilisation.

ABOUT WAFI AND DEMAKWA: The contract is called the Wafi Golpu Joint Venture or WGJV. It is managed by MMJV, who are also the developers, and our client at Hidden Valley. The project is expected to have a life span of approx 40 years and the main commodities mined will be copper and gold.

Demakwa is located adjacent to the Wau Bulolo highway, approximately 75kms from the 9 mile junction in Lae. It takes 1½ hrs to drive the distance from Lae to Demakwa and a further 1½ hrs to get to the Wafi camp.

The preconstruction phase will see the camp grow from its current 300 mandays to 1000 mandays by early 2012. The potential of the project is estimated to be as high as 9,000 mandays at peak.

CHALLENGING MOBILISATION PHASE: Brian said that it will be a challenge working up in Wafi.

“NCS will need to draw on all of its resources to ensure successful delivery. Some of the challenges we face include logistics with getting supply to the remote Wafi site. The road between both camps is very difficult with many deep river crossings after heavy rain and a 40km speed limit.” he said.

“The Wafi camp itself is also very spread out and cleaning staff will be required to carry loads over distance.” he continued.

NCS has actually been assisting with operations at Wafi for some years already by supplying trained Chefs to assist local (untrained)staff to cook. Since arriving at Wafi and Demakwa, NCS has invested in training staff, updating health and safety HACCP procedures and initiating quality policies and procedures to bring the site and staff up to NCS standards.

“Training staff to the required NCS standard, modifying and bringing the facilities up to standard are also areas that we have been given the “green light” and we have commenced mobilisation.” he continued.

Both locations are set up as exploration sites with demountable buildings. The Wafi site has a Weatherhaven tented kitchen which is a good structure! It will undergo a reconfiguration and equipment upgrade including a new mixer for the bakery, glass door refrigerators and new cold bain marie.

Brian went on to say that this project is a significant win for NCS in many regards. “With manday numbers forecast the way they are at these two sites alone will see the volume of goods and services supplied by NCS across the nation surpasses all other commercial caterers in PNG, securing sustainable employment for PNG people well into the next decade.” he continued.

NCS’ “power team” to take the mobilisation forward includes our very experienced long-term Project Manager John Easton who will be assisted by Jacob Manamana. Experienced staff from Hidden Valley and Lihir will assist with the mobilisation and conduct training with employees, most of who will be from the local area.

Comments have already been received from customers about the improvement of food quality and service since NCS has been in control. There are plans to create a social club, hold regular Sunday BBQs and movie nights.

Feeding the industry in Morobe

NCS was IN ACTION serving up delicious BBQ fare of steaks, sausages, hamburgers and salads at a successful two day event at the end of March hosted by Morobe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV) at Lae Showground.

The event brought together mining and drilling company’s rescue units to showcase their talents and tactics. It was an interesting weekend full of excitement, fun and joy and a great opportunity to meet some industry colleauges and learn more about what happens out on site.

Building good community relations

NCS has sponsored a local football team who funnily enough, has a food name!

The NCS Hamburger Hills touch football team is one of the top teams in the competition, and are currently in second spot playing for the Lord Mayor’s Cup in the Boundary Road off season touch rugby league competition.

Team President Mr Joe Silas and team Captain Mathew Moses were very happy and pleased with the timely sponsorship by NCS. “Sport is one of the few activities that keeps youths occupied and distracts them from doing other silly things” said Mr Silas “ We are very happy that NCS could helps us out in this way” he said

Business SHINES in Lae with 4 new contracts

The NCS Morobe team ended 2010 catering Christmas parties for some of Lae’s premium business, and has commenced in 2011 with a ‘gift” of new clients.

Catering events like Christmas parties enable NCS staff to enjoy the “face to face” experience firsthand of our customer’s enjoyment of our food and service. Many of the usual contracts for NCS Morobe are packaged meals that are delivered to the workplace.

“It really lifts our spirits to see everyone happy and enjoying their parties” said NCS Morobe’s Area Manager John Hosea. “We see their mouths watering at the smell of fried garlic and onion wafting through the air as the steaks and sausages sizzle on the BBQ stand and we can tell they enjoy our food” he said.

“It makes it fun and satisfying for us!” he continued.

The biggest Christmas party NCS catered in Lae was KK Kingston’s celebration for 1200 staff and family, followed by a very impressive party for Nestle PNG Ltd.

In Lae: Nestle PNG Ltd, KK Kingston, Xstrata and East-west Transport will join Trukai and CCA who contract NCS to provide meals for staff every day.Our two commercial kitchens will be busy preparing and delivering over 600 packaged meals each day.

A story about a blanket donation that will warm your heart

Staff at NCS Morobe decided to donate excess blankets they had on site to hospitals and clinics in the local area in September when numbers at the site decreased, freeing up the excess items.

Goroka Base Hospital was the major beneficiary, receiving over 300 blankets. It took two 10 hour round trips in a 3 tonne truck by hospital staff to collect the blankets from the Hidden Valley and deliver them back to the hospital.

Director of Nursing Services, Ms Sonya Vano said that this donation was the first of its kind – particularly in such quantity! As Goroka has a temperate and cool climate, the blankets are very much in need and are so appreciated, particularly by patients who travel to the hospital from remote areas with little or nothing to keep them warm.

NCS’ Romeo Robinson, who was the liaison for this project, was invited to visit the hospital to see for himself that the blankets had arrived and were being put to good use. Romeo, a Goroka local, was very pleased to see how these much needed blankets were appreciated by hospital staff and patients as he was shown around the wards.

“The appreciation was all too evident with the smiles from staff and patients as I was introduced as the representative from NCS” said Romeo.

As Romeo toured the hospital, he met a vegetable supplier to NCS Raibus, Mr Silas Waromo. He was recovering in the hospital from an incident. Keeping him warm was an NCS donated blanket.

It’s great to see NCS doing such great work in the local community. Well done to Romeo and the NCS Morobe team for this initiative

Celebrating 35th PNG Independence Day – Kainantu and Wau

The way we celebrated 35^th PNG Independence Day – 16 September 2010

All around Papua New Guinea, NCS people celebrated the 35^th Independence Day with great pride, joy and of course, feasting!

NCS staff had the awesome responsibility to prepare and serve a feast and a celebration – for their clients, guests and colleagues at our sites across PNG. We hope you enjoy some photos from our celebration album and a few special stories too.

Kainantu: elebration a success despite challenges

The team at Kainantu showed that they could still produce a splendid feast despite some last minute supply challenges!

“Our regular supplier of fruit and vegetables failed to supply local vegetables that resulted in my organising an early morning market run with Tex our storeman to get some supplies from the local market” said site manager Aviuah Karu

“Once we overcame those issues and a few other minor hiccups, everyone had a wonderful time. Our Independence celebrations went really well due to co-operation from all NCS staff” she continued.

NSSMTC

A happy and proud group at NSSMTC in Wau at morning tea

Our partners include NCS in training programs

When NCS enters into a contract with another company to provide services, we become partners in the business we service. Whether it’s a mine developer, a Government institution or a commercial business, our commitment is to provide the best quality services to our clients whilst ensuring the safety and protection of our staff and the wider community that support our Client.

That’s what a true partnership is about at NCS.

The mining project sites are usually located in the remotest areas of the country and we have to remind ourselves that NCS, as contractors, are visitors to these sites. We must ensure that we are working in accordance with the safety standards established by our Clients as well as maintaining our own.

Safety on sites is “Namba Wan” and each Project owner has site specific rules and regulations. It is beneficial for the developer that we ensure that our staff also understand what is required of them as part of the remote mining community.

Accordingly, our mining development clients often invite our staff to participate in their safety training programs. It makes practical sense. Should an incident arise, the more people on site trained to respond, improves the chance of a qualified person being in the vicinity to respond to an emergency.

Training at two sites: In recent months, Barrick at Kainantu has included NCS staff on safety training programs including the Courageous Safety Leadership and First Aid and MMJV at Hidden Valley, inclusion in their First Aid Training.

At Hidden Valley with MMJV,  trainer Allyson Jo Toro ran a St John’s First Aid training session for 8 NCS staff. All participants were volunteers who undertook the half day training program in their own time.

The goal was to teach the basics of first aid and how to help in the event that a first aid response is needed. First aid saves lives. In this first training session topics and practical skills covered included:

• CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation)
• Mouth to mouth
• Heart massage
• Recovery position

Follow-up training will be offered to complete basic training and we understand that graduates of this course will be eligible to do the Advanced First Aid course.

Catering Manager John Cole said “We are always happy when our staff take on extra training in an effort to increase their knowledge and abilities, it is good for NCS and better for the staff members.”

He went on to say that this additional opportunity helped to further “bond” our team, which already work well together.

“Sharing this experience has bought them more than just first aid knowledge. It has given them the added confidence in their ability to handle situations as well as a closer team spirit”.

MMJV’s Ms Jo Toro said that it was a joy to have such enthusiastic and eager students. “I am proud you have a good energetic team out there who are ready to promote Health and Basic First Aid and also attend to emergencies back at their workplaces. Not only that, they express gratitude to have learnt a new skill which is valuable to them for life.”

“They were good ambassadors for NCS. Any staff following will have big shoes to fill.”

At Kainantu with Barrick

It’s a similar story up at Kainantu. Ten NCS participants passed their Health and Basic First Aid Training with “flying colours”.

Barrick trainer Douglas Ned said that he was impressed to see them doing the steps of CPR. “Theory and Practical assessment were done and participants examined to ensure they understand the concept of CPR – ensuring that if someone has collapsed, cannot breath and poor blood circulating, that they can get someone breathing before they are referred to hospital.”

NCS remains committed to continuous improvement and the development of all NCS employees. Health and Safety Training is a vital key in this process and is under constant review by NCS senior management

Golden Kina Award Winner – Raymond Lohia, CCA

Raymond Lohia – Human Resources Manager, Coca Cola Amatil

It IS unusual for the recipient of the Golden Kina Award to be a client of NCS, however in this exceptional circumstance – we congratulate Mr Raymond Lohia, our client representative from Coca Cola Amatil with the NCS Golden Kina Award.

Raymond was nominated by NCS Operations Manager Brian Curran as he represents for us – our ideal client relationship and has enabled NCS to provide great catering and hospitality services to CCA in Lae.

“Raymond has been an amazing support to NCS since the commencement of our business relationship earlier this year.” said Brian. “He has promoted our business within CCA and encouraged future business opportunities and is always open to discuss and resolve issues at a moment’s notice. He really is our dream client and we wanted to acknowledge that in this way” continued Brian

The presentation of this Award was held on 29th June at CCA in Lae and was a complete surprise for Raymond who though it was just an ordinary business meeting.

On receiving this award, Raymond said “I’m really honoured to receive this award and dedicate this to my team and management of CCA PNG” said Raymond. “The gesture by NCS in recognising me as a customer goes a long way to show the value you have for your core business principles. Thank you also to Brian and team for the support.”

It is a great business relationship between NCS and CCA. Raymond’s professionalism, thoughtfulness, communication, responsiveness and feedback is one of the keys to the success of our business together.

“It has truly been a pleasure, for all NCS staff, to work with Raymond and his team, and the appreciation that is show for our service – makes a great difference to our staff too.” Said Brian

Nominate someone for a GKA.

NCS’ Golden Kina Award is just one of the ways NCS acknowledges outstanding service to our company in helping us with Meeting the Challenge – Every Day in spirit and in action.

Do you know someone who works with NCS and shares the spirit of “Meeting the Challenge – Every Day”?  Nominate them for an NCS Golden Kina Award, and tell us why you think they deserve to win!

Impressing Coca Cola Amatil

NCS’ reputation for delicious food and exceptional quality service received the highest accolades from visiting VIPs at Coca Cola Amatil in Lae.

When client CCA needed help in planning and catering for two very important functions, they worked closely with NCS’ Operations Manager Brian Curran and the team at NCS Morobe to plan and deliver these two functions.

CCA’s National HR Manager Raymond Lohia thanked Brian and his team most sincerely on behalf of his own team and Management, who dined on a magnificent spread prepared and served by NCS under a swathe of red Coca Cola umbrellas at the company’s facility in Lae.

Mr Lohia was also most impressed by how our senior management take a hands-on approach to the finest details, ensuring that client’s needs are anticipated and well “catered” for, wanting to acknowledge the fact that our management were “hands on and “on the ground” with his team serving.

“It speaks a lot about how much you value our business and how much you know yours! You knew what we needed to put on the plate and at our most important event, for our VIPs, you delivered” Mr Lohia continued.

“Everything we planned together happened accordingly and I was really impressed with the food, the service and the fact that we managed to feed 380 employees within 30mins…EXCELLENT! NCS are so very professional in their conduct and approach and our people loved it,” he went on to say.

“Our VIP’s were very impressed with NCS. Our GM expressed to us also that we value the relationship that we are developing with NCS and we’re looking for opportunities to continue build our relationship. We consider you “tru wantoks”.

NCS serves over 200 meals each day to the staff at CCA in Lae. Congratulations to the NCS Morobe team for delivering exceptional quality food and hospitality services that result in very happy clients like Coca Cola Amatil PNG. You do NCS proud.

Through mud and flood – the road to site

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.

NCS Driver Safety Program

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

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 SECURES NEW PROJECT for EU & MRA

NEW PROJECT! National Small Scale Mining Training Centre in Wau

On the 7^th May NCS Hidden Valley completed a special inauguration function for 400 guests to celebrate the opening of the new National Small Scale Mining Training Centre (NSSMTC) located in Wau. The centre was completed with funding from the European Union (EU) and in conjunction with the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) PNG.

EU Project Manager Joe Seegers said “Everything went very well today, including the tasty finger foods provided by NCS”.

Special guests included PNG Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Dr. Puka Temu, the Minister for Lands, Physical Planning and Mining, local Landowners and school children. Sing sing groups filled the air with song keeping everyone entertained.

Congratulations are due to NCS Operation Manager Brian Curran who worked diligently with EU and MRA to secure the contract. “NCS is proud to have the EU and MRA as a new client and we look forward to a long and successful relationship”. Said Mr Curran.

July 2009