First Three Priority School Projects Open in Southern Highlands
Mendi Secondary, Yebi Primary and Lumbi Primary are the first three of seven priority schools delivered under the PGK50 million ExxonMobil-supported Unity Legacy programme.
MENDI, Southern Highlands Province, 22 April 2026: The Southern Highlands Provincial Government has formally opened the first three school infrastructure projects delivered under its Unity Legacy programme.
Yebi Primary School and Lumbi Primary School were opened on 14 April 2026, followed by the flagship Mendi Secondary School opening on 15 April 2026.
The three projects form part of a seven-school programme supported through approximately PGK50 million in Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme funding from ExxonMobil PNG. The programme was established to provide lasting education infrastructure for Southern Highlands communities while also supporting the Province’s wider legacy and development priorities.
The completed works at the three schools include new double classrooms, separate male and female water and sanitation facilities, laundry units, electrical and fire services and back-up power.
Mendi Secondary School also received secure male and female student accommodation, with dedicated ablutions, laundry facilities and associated building services. These facilities provide safer and more functional learning and boarding conditions for students and teachers.
The programme was brought together by the Southern Highlands Provincial Government under Governor William Powi. The Unity Legacy Project Management Unit, led by Muruk Advisory Partners Director John Young, coordinated the project definition, partner engagement, implementation follow-up, reporting and government interfaces required to move the seven-school package into delivery.
ExxonMobil PNG provided the ITCS funding, while the Department of Works and Highways led the State’s implementation responsibilities. PlanPac supported technical delivery under the Department, with PNG CR Services Company undertaking the principal construction works across the first three sites.
MAP’s role, through the Unity Legacy PMU, was to maintain coordination across the Provincial Government, national agencies, funding partner, technical advisers, contractors and school communities. Procurement, construction, technical certification and funding control remained with the properly authorised parties.
Each opening attracted strong community participation. Parents, students, teachers, church representatives, community leaders and traditional performers gathered to receive the new facilities and recognise the organisations involved in their delivery.
Governor Powi said the openings represented a practical investment in the next generation of Southern Highlanders.
“Today we are changing the story of Southern Highlands, school by school and community by community. These classrooms are our commitment to our children, our discipline as a government and our confidence in the future of this province. What we open today, we must care for tomorrow,” Governor Powi said.
The operating principle established by the Unity Legacy team was simple: schools first. The infrastructure was planned around the long-term requirements of students, teachers and communities. Its ability to support provincial events and temporary accommodation is an additional benefit, rather than its primary purpose.
MAP Director John Young said the three openings demonstrated what could be achieved when the Province, government agencies and private-sector partners worked through one coordinated programme.
“The important result is that these facilities are completed and being used. The communities can see the classrooms, water and sanitation facilities and accommodation that have been delivered. This is the legacy Governor Powi asked the team to build: practical infrastructure that will continue serving Southern Highlands long after any single event,” Mr Young said.
The first three openings moved the programme from planning and construction into visible community use. Work on the remaining four priority school sites continued under the same programme, with delivery sequencing subject to site conditions, community access and completion of the required technical works.
The opening of Mendi Secondary, Yebi Primary and Lumbi Primary demonstrated the value of disciplined coordination across government, industry, technical teams and communities. It also established a delivery model that MAP continues to apply across major provincial programmes and partner-funded infrastructure.
ENDS
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Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
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