By HARLYNE JOKU
ACTING Prime Minister Dr Puka Temu has called on Central Governor Alphonse Moroi and his provincial government to sign the reviewed Tolukuma memorandum of agreement (MoA).
Dr Temu said the provincial government was the only party that had not signed the agreement and would lose K1 million in terms of special support grant (SSG).
The reviewed MoA was signed last November by the Tolukuma gold mine (TGM), the State and the landowners.
The Central provincial government, which is also party, refused to sign.
Mr Moroi explained that the provincial government did not sign the MoA because TGM had not agreed to their recommendation to build a tailings dam.
Dr Temu, however, said the MoA had a clause allowing for an independent study to be conducted verifying the report of provincial government’s consultant Dr Sylvestor Kotapu, whose study revealed that the blood samples of the Angabanga river community showed high levels of toxic metals including lead and mercury.
He said if the second study report confirmed the findings of Dr Kotapu, then the stakeholders will be recalled to decide to build a tailings dam.
Governor Moroi, however, said there was enough proof from independent studies including Dr Kotapu and Oxfam who confirm the high level of toxic lead in the river.
“Heavy metals have accumulated in the river system throughout the mines operations in the past 10 years.
“TGM needs to agree to build a tailings dam,” Mr Moroi said.
He added that what the Central provincial government might be missing out in terms of SSG from the mine was nothing compared to the welfare and future of the river people.
He questioned why the independent study commissioned by former Health Minister Sir Peter Barter to verify Dr Kotapu’s report was stalled.
Dr Temu told a press conference that funding of the study had been the problem.
But he announced that the Government had decided to give K450,000 to fund the second study which may conclude by June.
He added that the mine would be assisting in providing alternate water supply to the people.