Consultation key, MP says

Business

THERE must be a full resource industry wide consultation before the Government makes decisions on projects, says former deputy prime minister Charles Abel.
He said this in Port Moresby yesterday when addressing the annual conference of the chamber of mines and petroleum conference.
Abel said it was the right of every government to review policies in the interests of the country.
“At the same time industry must have certainty,” he said.
“Government, in the interests of a genuine partnership needs to consult, collect all the facts and figures, then make decisions promptly.”
Abel acknowledged the presence of some of the landowners and the uniqueness of the PNG fiscal regime that recognised the customary rights of landowners.
He thanked the industry for their continued support to PNG and the significance of the mining and petroleum industry that last year contributed 84 per cent of export earnings and 28 per cent of gross domestic product.
Abel acknowledged the challenges the industry faced; from the threat of changes to the fiscal regime and specifically the halt to Porgera, Papua LNG, Wafi–Golpu and Pasca projects for more than two years and the Covid-19 pandemic.