Call to reduce landowner groups

Landowner groups in the country have to be reduced to a manageable number for projects to be delivered efficiently, an official says.
“Too many landowner groups and disputes, we will never get anywhere,” Nathan Mosusu, from Mineral Resources Authority, said.
Mosusu has been acting MRA managing director since Philip Samar left last April.
Jerry Garry, a geologist with 30-plus years of experience, took office as managing director on Monday.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Port Moresby, Mosusu reflected on the past few months: “2018 was more challenging as we had to work within the confines of the PMMRA (Public Money Management Regularisation Act).
“Despite challenges, we made some achievements with guidance from Mining Minister Johnson Tuke: one was paying of royalties to the Ramu (mine) resource owners in Madang. Some outstanding issues, landowners, project agreements (MoA), we have a lot.
“We have commenced on some of those agreements for our resource owners, and some we hope to deliver in 2019.
“We have the new mining act that has to be understood by all in the industry, including MRA.
“We also have the applications of new mining technology that are going to be employed in the development of the Wafi-Golpu project.
“We must understand the complications and implications of this new technology.
“There are too many landowner groups out there.
“If only we can reduce them to manageable number, that will ensure that we deliver projects efficiently, and also that everyone out there in the communities benefit from those projects.”
Tuke urged MRA, Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management including the ministry, to set aside differences and establish a board.
He said: “Please can we have the board in place quickly?”
“How can we function without a board?
“If there is one of two (people) causing setbacks to establish the board, let me warn you: let’s not cause impediments, this is not your business, you stop it.”