Clans open Hides

By GYNNIE KERO
A GROUP of landowners blocking the access to the PNG LNG project plant in Hides for more than a week has agreed to end the protest following talks with a Government team yesterday.
Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding in Hela after addressing two of the 20 points raised by the landowners in a petition to the Government.
The landowners from the six blocks in the Petroleum Development Licence 7 (PDL7) area blocked the entrance to the plant more than a week ago, demanding that the Government honour its “outstanding commitments” to them.
Andy Hamaga, a landowner leader from PDL7, said yesterday access to the Hides plant operated by ExxonMobil would be cleared by today.

The Government team included the Department of Petroleum and Energy acting Secretary David Manau, Mineral Resources Development Company managing director Augustine Mano and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd managing director Wapu Sonk.
The PDL 7 area is where the ExxonMobil operated conditioning plant facility is located.
Hamaga said the leaders signed the memorandum after they were assured by the Government that it would meet the outstanding commitments outlined in their petition.
The two issues out of the 20 they raised are the payment of the Infrastructure Development Grant and the start of the clan-vetting process.
Hamaga welcomed the start of the clan-vetting process today.
KPHL managing director Sonk thanked the PDL7 landowners for having confidence in the Government to address their concerns.
“Thank you for your patience and cooperation”, Sonk said.
Larry Andagali, the landowner leader of PDL1, said last week the clan-vetting and landowner identification process was taking too long.
The clan vetting for PDL 1 and PDL 7 begins today.