Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and the Department of National Planning & Monitoring (DNPM) recently launched a Women’s Resource Center and a double classroom for communities living within the footprint of the proposed Frieda River mine, in the border of East and West Sepik Provinces. On behalf of the Managing Director of MRA, Acting Executive Manager for the Development Coordination Division, Mr. Jerry Naime and Assistant Secretary of the DNPM, Ms. Eileen Saiyomina, officiated at the launch ceremony. The Women’s Resource Centre is located at Ok Isai village in West Sepik Province while the double classroom is located at Paupe Primary School in East Sepik Province. Both projects have been funded under the National Government’s Public Investment Program (PIP) for the Frieda Mining Project, at a cost of K1.45million. The projects were delivered with partnership and support of the Frieda River Mine developer PanAust Limited where it will benefit seven villages along the footprint of the project. The Centre will be used to accommodate women’s capacity building programs, including adult and financial literacy programs amongst other community initiatives. The classroom will be used by grades seven and eight of the Paupe Primary School. In congratulating the women of Frieda River communities, Naime said these projects were the first of their kind, whereby, an infrastructure project is delivered under the mining sector Public Investment Program (PIP) within an exploration project setting. He further explained that projects like these were normally delivered through the Community Development Agreement (CDA) process for operating mines only, however, the MRA managed to secure funds from the DNPM to fund the projects. "The launching of these projects was a sign of good things to come and that MRA through our Gender Desk under the Women in Mining (WIM) program, would collaboratively work with PanAust and the districts to support the women’s programs in the future.” He appealed to the menfolk to look after the facility and support their women. Meanwhile, local women’s representative, Martina Aki said the womenfolk in the seven communities were excited about the new resource center. She said the developer of the mine, PanAust normally provided training programs, which they often conduct in village houses and shift from village to village. “With the new resource center, all activities will be held in the new center which is convenient especially logistically.”