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| LNG Gas Project in PNG | | Released: 11/11/2008 09:14 AM | | | In 1990, the massive Kutubu Pipeline Project was still a blueprint on an engineer’s drawing board.
Late in 1990, Jeff Sheppard, the general manager of McConnell Dowell’s pipeline division approached JDA for assistance in establishing the cost and availability of indigenous PNG labour for operating and maintaining a massive fleet of pipeline construction and road building equipment.
The McConnell Dowell pipeline division was part of the McConnell Dowell-Spie Capag joint venture.
“Following that approach, our fledgling company was commissioned (by the joint venture) to source and coordinate the PNG labour force and recruit senior expatriate construction and training operatives,” said John Davidson and Associates managing director, John Davidson.
“As to be expected with any project of this size (in such a harsh environment), there were some early industrial relations issues,” he said.
“However, the issues were quickly sorted and the project swiftly gathered momentum.”
The Kutubu project was finalised under-budget and within the projected timeframe, a feat that significantly enhanced the reputation of the project stakeholders.
John Davidson said, “The performance of the PNG equipment operators was a critical element in the success of the project. Prior to their Kutubu appointment, many of them lost their possessions in the hasty evacuation of the Bougainville mine. The volcanic eruptions in Rabaul the same year further added to their trauma.”
Eighteen years on, the majority of the expatriate employees associated with the Kutubu project are still active in the workforce.
John Davidson said, “Several expatriates are still on McConnell Dowell’s staff and others are contactable through the JDA network. “Some have gone on to senior roles in similar organisations.”
The indigenous PNG personnel are still contactable due to the unique village networks that exist in PNG and JDA’s diligent monitoring of their careers.
“Of course, some of these people would be of an age that would preclude their return to the harsh environment of the PNG Highlands and Gulf regions,” said John Davidson. “But others are still employed in senior supervisory roles within the mining and engineering sectors.”
As the LNG Gas Project unfolds, JDA will once again be well-positioned to support the various stakeholders with their human resources needs. Leading the team in the JDA Wokman office in Port Moresby will be Josephine Otoaina.
“Josephine, like me, spent several months in the joint venture offices,” said John Davidson.
“Since 1992 we have worked on similar major recruitment campaigns in the PNG resources sector,” he said. “An assignment on the PNG Gas Project would see Josephine and her team seconded to the project to exclusively manage the service delivery to our clients.”
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