Lemek Bale, a dedicated electrician with Raibus Engineering, played an important role in the successful opening of the newly maintained Enekuai Aid post on Friday April 11, 2025.
Graduating from the Don Bosco Technological Institute in 2019, the 25 year old Bale from a mix parentage of East Sepik and Southern Highlands quickly established himself as an industrious worker known for completing the tasks of multiple men on his own.
On April 10, just a day before the official opening of the Enekuai Aid post, Bale travelled to the Enekuai relocation site of the Kurumbukari mine, where the landowners of the Ramu Nickel and Cobalt project were.
His mission was crucial, and that was to install solar lighting in the Aid post which had no illumination prior to the event.
With determination and skill, Bale worked tirelessly to set up the lighting system, ensuring it was operational before the big day.
However, as the sun set and the preparations for the opening began, an unexpected challenge arose.
The automatic solar controller fell to 3% and failed to charge, leaving the Aid post in total darkness.
Concerned about the situation, Bale felt his heart raced as he realized that the lights might not illuminate in time for the important ribbon-cutting ceremony and inspection of the Aid post.
Praying for a miracle, Bale remained hopeful.
The next day, a large crowd gathered in front of the Aid post after the speeches were delivered and Ramu NiCo bosses with Madang Provincial Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sammy Thomas Kambuka and a landowner representative performed the ribbon cutting.
The party proceeded to inspect the interior of the Aid post.
Bale stood silently in one corner of the Aid post and sweated heavily with his heart beating faster than normal and prayed for a miracle.
As Dr. Sammy Thomas Kambuka lifted his hand and touched the light switch, the solar light bulbs Bale installed obeyed his command and beamed.
Bale let out a gasp of relief feeling satisfied and walked out of the Aid post quietly.
Bale’s commitment and technical expertise not only ensured the success of the Aid post’s opening but also showcased the importance of solar solutions in remote areas and most of all for Ramu NiCo to provide the much needed medical service that the local people need.
As he stood there smiling and filled with relief, it was clear that his work made a significant impact on the Enekuai community, providing them with a vital resource in their healthcare journey.
Residents and officials alike celebrated the event, grateful for the community’s investment in sustainable infrastructure and the electrifying efforts of Ramu NiCo to provide them with the health facility.
Women can now give birth at the Aid post and curable diseases can be cured in the same Aid post.
Many people have died because it was difficult to travel to the urban centers to get medical treatment.
Now with the Aid post at their doorstep, they can be cured when they are sick.
People like Bale are some of those who physically make things work in difficult circumstances but remain silent.
Bale thanked Ramu NiCo to build and maintain the Aid post and for engaging Raibus Engineering to install lighting in which he was chosen as the man for the job.
