I write to challenge a certain “alien landowner” known as John Augustine Midin, whose somewhat out-of-context letter claimed ownership of the land where Niugini Nickel Ltd is currently doing exploration work. This is around Mt Koyama in the Safia LLG area (Musa Valley) in Oro province.
I would like to ask Midin and his so-called landowners not to bring shame to us the real and genuine landowners because we have been toiling our land, raising our families there and fighting for development. The company is doing exploration work on our land!
Midin and your so-called landowners are hundreds of kilometres away in the city and laying claims to a piece of land you probably have never seen or even touched, let alone sweated over!
I’ll offer you and your so-called landowners a piece of advise; please go home to your land, wherever that may be and work on it.
Niuginin Nickle Ltd will still continue to carry out exploration work at Mt Koyama as long as its EL is valid and pay compensation when and where it is due to us the real and genuine landowners.

Chairman, Rarotu ILG , Embessa village, Safia LLG, Oro province