Aihi claims unfair deals by ExxonMobil

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday 25th November 2011

THE PNG liquefied natural gas project has failed many landowners, Kairuku-Hiri MP Paru Aihi said during question time in parliament yesterday.
He said landowners of Portion 152 had recently raised concern that project area landowner had not benefited from the spin-off benefits during the construction phase.
He said the landowners were also concerned that ExxonMobil had allegedly overlooked all other landowner companies and was only dealing with Laba Holdings.
Aihi said this became evident when landowner company Papa Resources Ltd, which owned a fleet of vehicles, had its contract terminated.
“All infrastructure like roads and schools have deteriorated while water and sanitation was a problem for the landowners.”
In response, Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma pointed out that he was never given the full authority as the minister responsible during the negotiation period.
He said at that time, ExxonMobil only dealt with former state enterprises minister Arthur Somare.
However, Duma said all agreements governing landowner benefits were contained in the UBSA and LBBSA documents signed in Kokopo, East New Britain, and at the project sites.