Representatives of the Lihir Ladolam Pit Landowners Association have received certificates in Retail Training after successfully completing a week-long training facilitated by the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI).
The landowner representatives were awarded their certificates during a brief mini graduation ceremony hosted by the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) at its office in Port Moresby on Thursday, 26 March.
A total of 32 participants including 14 women attended the Financial Literacy training under MRA.
In addition to the CEFI certificates, participants also received certificates from the Papua New Guinea Institute of Directors (PNGID) and the Institute of Banking and Business Management (IBBM) after attending their respective training sessions aimed at strengthening leadership and financial management skills.
Speaking during the ceremony, CEFI Acting Executive Director Peter Samuel commended the landowners for successfully completing the programme, describing it as an important step towards improving financial discipline and strengthening landowner participation in business.
Mr. Samuel said the training was designed to equip participants with practical knowledge in retail business operations and financial management.
“Without your input and without all your support and effort, this thing won’t be possible,” Mr. Samuel said while acknowledging the support of MRA and other partners.
He further emphasized the importance of financial education, particularly for communities receiving income from resource projects.
“Many of our people have been living pay cheque to pay cheque, and we have never developed a saving culture in our society,” he said, encouraging participants to set both short-term and long-term financial goals.
Chairwoman of the Lihir Ladolam Pit Landowners Association, Monica Kuten, thanked CEFI and its partners for facilitating the training. She said the programme was vital for landowner representatives, who would share the knowledge gained with their respective groups.
“The training is very important for our representatives as they will impart the knowledge and skills learnt back to their groups,” Ms. Kuten said. She added that the training would also help improve participants’ savings and budgeting skills.
Manager Project Coordination – MRA, Pelis Vatnabar also commended participants for their commitment and dedication throughout the training.
Also present to witness and present certificates were, Mr. Judah Linus, Project Coordinator–MRA, Mrs. Cathy Kale- PNGID Treasurer and Director and Mrs. Shigu Hombunaka IBBM-Manager Corporate Training.
Ends.
Image Captions:
Image 1: Trainee participants with invited guests from CEFI, IBBM and PNGID pose for a group photograph following the graduation on 26 March at the MRA Office in Port Moresby.
Image 2: CEFI Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel, delivers his opening remarks during the graduation on 26 March at the MRA Office in Port Moresby.
Image 3: CEFI Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel, delivers his opening remarks during the graduation on 26 March at the MRA Office in Port Moresby.
Image 4: IBBM Manager Corporate Training, Mrs Shigu Hombunaka, delivers her remarks during the graduation on 26 March at the MRA Office in Port Moresby.
Image 5: IBBM Manager Corporate Training, Mrs Shigu Hombunaka, delivers her remarks during the graduation on 26 March at the MRA Office in Port Moresby.
Image 6: PNGID Treasurer and Director, Mrs Cathy Kale, delivers her remarks during the graduation on 26 March at the MRA Office in Port Moresby.
Image 7: Chairwoman of the Lihir Ladolam Pit Landowners Association, Monica Kuten, delivers her remarks during the graduation ceremony.
Image 8: Participants listen attentively to speeches during the graduation ceremony.
Image 9: CEFI Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel, presents Mathilda Kambe with her Retail Training Certificate.
Image 10: CEFI Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel, presents Peter Kalayer Junior with his Retail Training Certificate.
Image 11: CEFI Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel, presents Monica Kuten with her Retail Training Certificate.
Image 12: Manager Project Coordination – MRA, Pelis Vatnabar, presents Hendriela Faboktaufi with her Retail Training Certificate.
Image 13: PNGID Treasurer and Director, Mrs Cathy Kale, presents Lawrence Aien with his certificate after he successfully completed the course facilitated by the institute.
Image 14: PNGID Treasurer and Director, Mrs Cathy Kale, presents Josephine Lusen with her certificate after she successfully completed the course facilitated by the institute.
Image 15: PNGID Treasurer and Director, Mrs Cathy Kale, presents Gregory Pokla with his certificate after he successfully completed the course facilitated by the institute.
Image 16: PNGID Treasurer and Director, Mrs Cathy Kale, presents Judah Linus with his certificate after he successfully completed the course facilitated by the institute.
Image 17: IBBM Manager Corporate Training, Mrs Shigu Hombunaka, presents Serah Lusem with her certificate after she successfully completed a course at IBBM.
Image 18: IBBM Manager Corporate Training, Mrs Shigu Hombunaka, presents Paul Gesmon with his certificate after he successfully completed a course at IBBM.
Image 19: IBBM Manager Corporate Training, Mrs Shigu Hombunaka, presents Nason Toksem with his certificate after he successfully completed a course at IBBM.
Image 20: IBBM Manager Corporate Training, Mrs Shigu Hombunaka, presents Judith Kapal with her certificate after she successfully completed a course at IBBM.
Image 21: Participants attended the week-long Retail Training facilitated by CEFI under the MRA programme at the CEFI Office in Port Moresby from 16–20 March 2026.
Image 22: Participants actively engaged in sessions during the week-long Retail Training delivered by CEFI under the MRA initiative at the CEFI Office in Port Moresby from 16–20 March 2026.
Image 23: Participants gained practical knowledge during the week-long Retail Training conducted by CEFI under the MRA programme at the CEFI Office in Port Moresby from 16–20 March 2026.
Image 24: Participants collaborated and shared experiences throughout the week-long Retail Training facilitated by CEFI under the MRA programme at the CEFI Office in Port Moresby from 16–20 March 2026.
Image 25: Participants took part in interactive learning activities during the week-long Retail Training facilitated by CEFI under the MRA programme at the CEFI Office in Port Moresby from 16–20 March 2026.
Image 26: Participants strengthened their retail skills through the week-long Retail Training facilitated by CEFI under the MRA programme at the CEFI Office in Port Moresby from 16–20 March 2026.
Image 27: Participants engaged in practical discussions during the week-long Retail Training facilitated by CEFI under the MRA programme at the CEFI Office in Port Moresby from 16–20 March 2026.
Image 28: Participants participated in capacity-building sessions during the week-long Retail Training facilitated by CEFI under the MRA programme at the CEFI Office in Port Moresby from 16–20 March 2026.
Image 29: Participants enhanced their understanding of retail practices during the week-long Retail Training facilitated by CEFI under the MRA programme at the CEFI Office in Port Moresby from 16–20 March 2026.
About CEFI
CEFI was established under the Association Incorporation Act and officially launched on the 24th of April 2013. CEFI was endorsed by PNG’s National Executive Council (NEC) as the industry apex organization for coordinating, advocating and moniotoring all financial inclusion activities in PNG.
CEFI’s vision, mission and values focus on financial inclusion and literacy, poverty elimination and the promotion of vibrant financial institutional operation in Papua New Guinea.
Visit our website – www.thecefi.org
Media Contact:
Mr. Leslie Omaro
Communication Officer
Phone: 7464 5678
Email: lomaro@thecefi.org
