PM, Tuke in Lae to discuss project

The National Main Stories

By BRADLEY MARIORI
PRIME Minister James Marape and Mining Minister Johnson Tuke are in Lae to discuss the Wafi-Golpu project with landowners and the provincial government.
Marape said they needed their views on the multi-billion kina project.
“It’s a part of government (plans) to embrace landowners and provincial government views within the context of the Mining Act,” Marape said.
“We will have a meeting before the government and state negotiating team start the negotiating with Harmony and Newcrest as far as the Wafi-Golpu project is concerned.
“The mining ministry and Mineral Resource Authority are here so we will start the process of negotiating and putting in place agreements that represent the landowners’ views.”
Marape said the Government wanted to move forward the Wafi-Golpu, Porgera, P’nyang and Pasca projects by the third quarter of the year.
He assured the provincial government and landowners that the Government “will give you a fairer share” after talks with the developers.
Marape said in a statement he wanted to open up the country for business despite the threat of the coronavirus globally.
“The Covid-19 must not kill the country’s economy and the Government’s service delivery to our people. Under the National Pandemic Act, localised control based on medical evidence will be exercised but people’s livelihood, commerce and trade must continue.”

10 comments

  • Even before the onslaught of the foreign Covid-19 virus on global economies including PNG other home grown viruses called corruption, abuse of public offices, mismanagement and abuse of public finances, bribery, fraudulent dealings using public positions of trust and so on and so forth were already destroying the very fabric of PNG economy and society. The second wave of Covid-19 is on the way so you can open PNG for business, all the best.

  • WE WHERE EXPECTING SUCH REACTIONS! Some people already falling prey and jumping on the emotional bandwagon with foreign entities. The same game every foreign entities play (peoples emotions) at the expense of us Papua New Guineans and here we are, already have couple of people crying faul. Those 2700 employees must see this as an opportunity to get home and do something useful during the stand-down period. You may not have that chance when you get back to work again. Once the government takes over, its just the ‘COMPANY LOGO’ that will be changed and those employees (national + Expats) who’ve decided against continuing employment with new owners (KMHL PNG) will be let go. The same happened with Ok Tedi decades ago.
    STOP PRESSING THE PANICKING BUTTONS!
    GOD WILL RAISE THIS COUNTRY! God bless PNG!

    • TP, Agree with you, Just a short period of time we will feel the pain but its good for our future generations.
      We wont die……………if we go without a job for 3 to 4 years unless you are a foreigner.
      Well done PM , NEC and the Government.
      That is how we take back PNG !!! Walk the Talk.
      May our Lord guide you all in your decision making regarding our resources.
      God bless PNG.!

  • This discussion here in Lae with the Provincial and the landowners is a very good idea done by our PM and his team. This is a round table discussion where all parties understands each other so the job can be easily carry forward. Make the foreign investors must listen to us and we all work in a win win deal. Once again thanks PMJM. its a brilliant idea you have done.

    • JB, I agree with you. PM & Morobe Governor, utla mas save olsem the landowners are not only the Yanta, Hangambu and Bawaf Associations. The other four villages of Yanta and Hagambu are located along the Wau-Bulolo Highway namely Timini, Gurako, Bupu and Yanta One (Paraklis) who speak the same language and share the same culture and having family ties with the Yanta’s and Hangambu’s. Our people from the four villages on the highway has been missed out from the exploration work and damages benefits which only a few individuals from the Yanta and Hangambu Associations are benefiting from the expanse of other rightful owners of the land (where the mine/Wafi) is located as well.
      Think2x na make sure that ol displa 4pla villages lo rot tu mas benefit time mine em kick off. The newly formed BANO ASSOCIATION represents these four villages and clan members of Yanta and Hangambu who have been missing out. This Association is also made up of clan leaders who have fight the court battle (Special Land Tittle Court Hearing) of land ownership.
      Hope the PM and M/Governor’s meeting with landowners are considerate of my people as well. Nogat em still bai bigpla problem.

      According to our constitution, the ASSOCIATIONS don’t owns the land, its the clan’s that owns customary lands in Papua New Guinea. For now the associations can be their BUT the government must still consider clan vetting to declare the rightful owners of Wafi Mining before opens the mine.

  • Lets wait and see what happens. Talking is one thing, making things happen is another. Talk alone doesn’t excite some of us. Actions always speak louder than words. Wokim samtin kamap na mipla lukim.

  • Mr. or Ms Editor, why deleting my comments! I have expressed my opinion. I know what the govt is doing is not right now but maybe it will be useful in the future.

    I tell you, this govt is all talking and no real development will take place.

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