Authority focuses on development, change

THE Hides Petroleum Development Licence (PDL) 7 special purposes authority (SPA) will now focus on bringing development and change to its area after a recent court case returned a ruling on its executive.
Chairman Steven Ipule said on Friday that his executive who had been recognised as the legitimate one would start distributing funds to benefit the people of Hides 4 starting with local churches.
The executives delivered K60,000 to the Komo churches association to be distributed to various denominations.
“The executive, has been the subject of a lengthy court proceeding, and we thank God for the victory and will support the work of churches,” Ipule said.
He said the court proceedings challenged the legitimacy of the formation of the authority since 2017, but a new board was recognised following the National Court ruling that dismissed a judicial review application by the former interim board.
Ipule said his executive would now set about delivering projects.
He said two offices, one at Hides 4 and the other in Port Moresby, would be established to facilitate the expansion of development funds.
Ipule said small to medium enterprises (SMEs) development would be one focus as would agriculture.
He said oil and gas were non-renewable resources that would one day be depleted and people could not depend entirely on the royalties and equity payments.