Amend laws on natural resources

I CALL on the government to amend and regulate laws governing our natural resources.
Our present laws on mining, oil and gas are weak and do not protect the people and country.
That is why we get peanuts while investors and shareholders get a big chunk of the pie.
The government needs to amend the mining, oil and gas acts for the  state to get about 30% equity.
The current 19.4% equity is insufficient to meet growing demands for services.
Of the 30%, the national government should retain 20% with the remainder going to provincial governments, LLGs and landowners of the project area.
This will bring long-term benefits and will shape the future of PNG.
Look at the existing mines such as Ok Tedi, Lihir, Misima and Porgera.
More than half of the people there are still living below UN-mandated poverty line.
One day, these non-renewable re­sour­ces will be depleted. It is no use crying after the resources are gone if the money is not ma­naged and used wisely now.

Joe Wasia
Madang