Consult people on big mining projects

FRIEDA mine in West Sepik will destroy the lives of people along the Sepik River as we already have a perfect precedent by the OK Tedi mine in Western.
With consideration of people’s welfare, such projects should go through proper consultation process.
A holistic approach is missing in such negotiation.
Our leaders make decisions from top levels because they were mandated by the people and they have a duty to do so.
Most make decisions without considering the people’s wishes.
We cannot say they are wrong.
Our system allows that to happen because we vote MPs to speak and make decisions on the people’s behalf.
Decisions about development agendas seem to be in favour of the people because we gave them the power at the first place.
Can we change that?
Currently, there is no avenue for us to raise our concerns as we do not have a legally established system allowing people to participate in public forums and consultation regarding proposed developments.
Little has been said and done but we need more to be done with the help and understanding of the Government to establish proper links between our leaders so that the voice of the silent majority is heard.
People’s voices should be heard, especially about discussions of projects with high risk that pose threats to our environment.
Papua New Guinea needs such projects to generate revenue to fund our development goals but our leaders cannot continue to make decisions and sacrifice people’s lives in the name of development.
Our leaders should not allow such devastating projects to take away peoples way of living.
We have other sustainable sectors such as agriculture, tourism and fishery to develop the country.
Leaders can go ahead with decisions on other minor projects but not projects such as mining where people’s lives are on the line.
Collective approach is needed.

Hanam Bill Sandu
Concerned Citizen