Dept gets 600-plus submissions: Manau

Business

THE Department of Petroleum and Energy has received more than 600 submissions from landowner groups around the country to be paid outstanding claims, according to secretary David Manau.
Manau said there had been more submissions on payments from landowner groups this year than before, and that it was important to follow due process.
He said submissions were made to the department although there were other stakeholders such as the Department of National Planning and Monitoring and the Department of Commerce – depending on the nature of the submission.
“There have been a lot of submissions for various payments throughout this year,” he said.
“Because of our role in this, we are the one-stop shop for the submissions.
“But the Department of Planning determines the payments as well as other departments such as Treasury.
“When it comes to these payments, we have to follow due process and the Department of Petroleum and Energy will facilitate their submission while working with other entities.”
He was commenting on a seven-day notice to the department this week by the Middle Clan Kewapa Landowners Association Inc in Hela for outstanding grant payments.