Florian Angongi, a young man from Karowari in Angoram, East Sepik Province, is one of the active employees of Ramu NiCo based at the Kurumbukari mine site.
The cold night breeze mixed with fog from the 18degree Celsius temperature of the Kurumbukari Mountains blew against his face. It was 03 June, 2025, he woke up that morning all focused on work. He was all occupied with the thoughts of the machineries he would fix that day and the training session that he would attend to before he travelled to Lae to attend the final test of the level 3 Heavy Equipment Fitter certificate.
However when night fall, the sound of the workshop and heavy engines faded and silence gripped him and his thoughts came clear, it was his birthday today and he just turned 32.
There was no birthday feast or a cake to cut but he had some sweet stories to share with his friends over their usual buai daka session. He and seven of his colleagues would be the pioneer graduates of Ramu NiCo’s local hire trainees who begin their trade test training in 2022 in Heavy Equipment Fitting. Angongi sat outside his room with some friends and reflected on his life’s journey and how he made it to Ramu NiCo and ended up at Kurumbukari turning 32 years old in a mining area where the mountains kiss the skies and the green vegetation below greets the Ramu River in a magnificent view.
Angongi’s father was a mechanic when he was growing up in the comfort of his home and surrounded by his 6 siblings, but he never developed the interest of following his father’s carrier, instead he focused on becoming a ship engineer. Maybe because PNG Maritime college was just across the Dofun Bay where his home was or probably the boys in white socks up in full white shorts and shirts and the sky blue shirts and dark blue shorts inspired him.
However after completing grades 1-8 at Lutheran Day Primary School from 2000-2008, and grades 9-12 at Tusbab secondary high school in from 2009 – 2012, Angongi did not make it to his dream college, the PNG Maritime College.
Three years later, he was accepted to study Physio Therapy at Divine Word University but withdrew from classes and ran off to Hagen Technical College to study a 6 months course on Heavy Equipment Fitting.
Because Angongi left the Divine Word University for Hagen Tech, his father considered that as demotion for a family status so he didn’t gave much thought about giving him his full support. Angongi left Madang with only K200 in his pocket after paying K750 as registration component of his full tuition fee.
He spent K80 already and had K120 in his possession when he went to his cousin sister’s house at Kimininga Police Barracks to visit her and her family.
Angongi’s cousin’s husband Constable Carl Lambi was home with few of his workmates from the MS7 police unit when he arrived and after a brief introduction, the party welcomed him to join their group.
The hard working policemen were wrapping up the day’s hard work with few cans of the Papua New Guinea’s favorite South Pacific Leger beer and Angongi was now sipping the beer they offered him and fully engaged in their conversation when the MS7 commander signaled them.
The MS7 commander ordered for an urgent intelligent meeting with his unit members. Since he was a party to their beer session, the policemen took him with them. Upon realizing that Angongi was an outsider, the commander blasted the officers for bringing him to their meeting and said with a stern voice that the meeting is cancelled and they can continue drinking. Angongi’s whole body was electrocuted by the commander’s words and numbness crept up his spine. It was because of him, an important meeting that they should have held was suspended.
His head dropped and he scanned the earth beneath his feet for a minute when the Commander’s voice broke off the silence again.
“Sorry boy, it’s not your fault; it’s their fault that they brought you here. Alright, start betting money so we go buy more beer.”
Feeling embarrassed by the situation, Angongi decided to make a contribution towards buying beers for the group. While the policemen contributed K20 and K50 notes, he put hands into his pocket and drew out the last K120 he had and put all on the T’shirt the commander spread in-front of them.
When the Commander saw the amount he put, he criticized the policemen for contributing small amounts while the school boy contributed more.
After the beer outing with the MS7 unit members at Kimininga Police Barracks, Angongi went to the school and spent more time on his studies. On the final week of the academic year before the final exams, the College issued a notice to all students that no student would be allowed to sit for the final exams if they have outstanding tuition fees. Angongi had more than K2200 outstanding tuition fee. He quietly mentioned it to his cousin and relevant family member.
However, his relevant family member told his other police unit members who have now became Angongi’s friends. Soon, Angongi’s need for the tuition fee reached the MS7 commander’s ears. Few days later Angongi received a call from his relevant family member that the family wanted him to have dinner with them so he went to Kimininga Police Barracks.
To his surprise, it was not just his cousin and her family but the MS7 unit members and too, including the commander.
Before they started eating, the commander welcomed everyone and made a special mention of Angongi.
“We decided to contribute some funds to support your tuition fee so come get this.” The commander said and hand over a small envelope to him.
Angongi’s jaw opened to say something but shut again as he could not find the words to say. Tears quickly formed around his eyes and he half bowed and half stared at the commander and scanned the small smiling crowd before him. Angongi was lost for words. He was so emotional. He thanked the commander and took the envelope from him and the dinner gathering turned a memorable one.
Overwhelmed by their generosity, Angongi was able to complete his studies and receive a certificate in Heavy Equipment Fitters.
Angongi’s story is a testament to the power of kindness and the impact it can have on someone’s life. His simple act of generosity not only earned him the respect and friendship of his colleagues, but it also opened doors of opportunities for him.
As he continues to excel in his career, Angongi will always be grateful to the MS7 Squad for their support and for inspiring him to be a better person. Through his hard work and determination, Angongi did not stop at just one certificate.
He continued to work and participate in training programs. Angongi was fortunate to join Ramu NiCo 2020. Out of 13 people called by the company to be interviewed, only two were selected and Angongi was one of the two. He was sent to KBK to work in the workshop. In February 2021 Angongi attended the Trade test level certificate in Heavy Equipment Fitting in Lae.
In 2023, Angongi and others did their level 2 trade test. In August this year, he will complete his training for the level 3 trade test. Angongi and seven others will graduating as pioneers of the Ramu NiCo Trade skills training program.
The heavy equipment fitter commended Ramu NiCo for recognizing the need to up skill local workers by training them. Angongi said it was not his dream to work in a mining company like Ramu NiCo but fate brought him there and he would give the best work output to produce results for the mine operation.
Angongi is happy that Ramu NiCo looks after him well and his family. He said he shares his salary with his wife and daughter and his father and mother but longs for the day that he would buy beer for his MS7 friends of 2016.
Florian Angongi working at the Mobile Workshop in Ramu NiCo’s Kurumbukari mine site.