Consider people’s welfare

SOME sections of the proposed ocean law the Constitutional Law Reform Commission is undertaking should capture maritime people’s views to ensure their general welfare is protected.
Contents of many existing laws were generalised making them attractive to lure foreign investment to exploit resources to serve the interest of the Government.
Very little or no attention were given to the people from the impacted areas.
Extra care should be exercised in negotiating for the establishment of this ocean law.
Disposal of harmful substances into rivers and creeks subsequently flowing into the ocean has contributed to the threats already posed by vessels oil spills, plastic waste and mine waste disposals.
This has caused immense damage and destruction to our marine eco-system.
Ocean law is a title but it has many aspect to it.
I specifically mentioned maritime dwellers because sea is our source of life.
People in Highlands will not be affected if the ocean is polluted.
They have sufficient land to cultivate and earn income. Ocean pollution destroys maritime and affect coastal people and that is the concern.
Let me share my thoughts to the current oversight in the multimillion kina tuna industry.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
On land, laws prevent us indigenous people from owning any minerals that is six feet beneath the earth surface.
At sea, people do not have a say to any tuna caught outside of two hundred nautical mile zone.
Can someone explain why people from major mining, gas and oil areas get royalty payments while maritime people don’t?
This is unfair.
The new ocean law should at least look into establishing benefit sharing arrangement between the government, tuna manufacturing companies and the maritime people.

Hanam Bill Sandu,
Wewak Island LLG