Atlas Steel unveils K300,000 market shelter for Kamkumung

Atlas Steel PNG has delivered a second market shelter to the Kamkumung community, a K300,000 investment aimed at boosting the local informal economy.

The facility, which was officially inaugurated last Friday, has been dubbed as an economic win for the region, where local residents’ support for PNG-made steel is being reinvested directly back into communities.

National Sales Manager for Atlas Steel PNG (Lae Steel Haus) Daniel Langangar, said the project is a cornerstone of practical development for the people in Kamkumung. He said such infrastructure is vital for providing small-scale producers and youth, space to conduct commerce.

"From an economic standpoint, proper market infrastructure creates opportunities," Langangar said. "It enables our young people and small producers to participate meaningfully in trade."

Langangar also drew a direct line between the company’s ability to fund these projects and the loyalty of the local market. He acknowledged that the project was made possible by the strong backing of residents and business houses who continue to prioritize locally manufactured steel products over imports.

While the new shelter provides immediate relief for vendors, local leaders are framing the donation as a test of community responsibility. Ward 15 Councilor [Nawae Urban LLG], Awagasi Aisen, urged residents to take ownership of the facility to ensure it remains a catalyst for future investment.

"When these facilities are respected and taken care of, it attracts more development to the area," Aisen said.

He encouraged the Kamkumung community to treat the shelter as a shared asset, noting that good stewardship is the best way to invite further corporate support.

The K300,000 structure is the second of its kind for the area as part of a sustained commitment by Atlas Steel to bridge the gap between industrial success and community welfare. By providing a weather-shielded, durable space for vendors, the project aims to formalize and strengthen the local supply chain in one of Lae’s bustling suburbs.