Chan takes swipe at MRA over PIP

MINING Minister Byron Chan has described acting Mineral Resource Authority director Kepas Wali’s recent public statement against New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan as “outrageous and in total disrespect”.
He was responding to comments Wali made in a full-page paid advertisement regarding the implementation of public investment programme (PIP) projects under the Lihir memorandum of agreement and Simberi.
Wali said in his statement he had followed due process in executing the expenditure of PIP projects and that an earlier outburst by Sir Julius about lack of consultation and in breach of protocol was uncalled for.
But Chan condemned Wali’s actions, saying he had failed to consult the provincial government in implementing the original Lihir MoA and revised MoA commitments as well as on the non-payment of special support grant (SSG) and infrastructure development grant (IDG) to the New Ireland provincial government.
“Basically, the fact that (Kepas) completely failed to administer the original Lihir MoA commitments that Sir Julius, as prime minister in 1995 agreed to, four major infrastructure projects and revised MoA commitments of May 2007, estimated at around K400 million in the alternative dispute resolution process.
“MRA should admit that it has led the state into confusion and the province into conflict.
“This is a blunder and slap in the face of the government of New Ireland.
“I believe other mining provinces are affected by MRA’s lack of attention and focus as in Namatanai district, my electorate,” Chan said.
He said any consultation must go through the provincial executive council and that had not been adhered to by the MRA, which bypassed normal government protocols and procedures.
He said all PIP project expenditure were clearly outlined or captured in the provincial budget and it was only fair the acting managing director should work within the framework of the budget in delivering the projects.
Chan said while Wali claimed that all was well in delivering PIP projects in the province he (Wali) had failed to address existing MoA reviews of Lihir, Simberi and Nautilus.
“The provincial government must be given the recognition and representatives of MRA must follow proper procedures and laws under the MoA.
“The failure has led to Lihir LLG and landowners of Simberi not receiving their royalties until I intervened as minister,” he said.
Chan questioned why there was huge PIP project expenditure concentrated on Namatanai electorate alone and not others as highlighted by Wali in his media statement.
He said the focus on delivering PIP projects should go to other mine-impacted provinces such as Porgera, Tabubil, Ramu, Yandera, Bougainville, Sinivit, Wafi Golpu and Hidden Valley.
“I, as minister, am ashamed that all PIP projects have been directed to my Namatanai electorate.
“The focus on Namatanai has been shameful and shows total disrespect for the country and other mining provinces,” Chan said.===