Don’t forget about us: Landowners

BABUAF Development Ltd has urged the Morobe government to ensure Resource Logistics Solutions (RSL) represents Babuaf landowners in any advisory capacity regarding Wafi mine meetings.
President Thomas Nen said that landowner position must be spelt out clearly to the provincial and national governments before the development forum begins next month.
“We also request that any future meetings regarding Wafi-Golpu project between Morobe government, developer Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture (WGJV) and the National Government must involve landowners,” he said.
Nen said as landowners of the SML (special mining lease), they were important stakeholders and should not be left out in those meetings.
“If Morobe organises any meetings with the developer, the National Government or any potential investor, the executives of three landowner associations – Yanta, Hengambu and Babuaf – must be involved,” he said.
He said in the case of Babuaf, RSL would sit in those meetings as to advice landowners.
Nen said the position of three landowner associations and their business arms – Babuaf Development Ltd, Veyanga Development Ltd for Yanta landowners and Ketun Golpu Investment for Hengambu landowners – as SML landowners must be recognised.
Meanwhile, people from the SML from the Wafi-Golpu Project’s proposed SML10 and Wagang village are undergoing trainings on leadership and food processing.
Head of External Relations, David Wissink, said WGJV would like to see all stakeholders ready.
“We will run this cycle of leadership training and community feedback sessions to that ensure everyone is ready before, during and after the development forum so understand what is going on.
“People must have their voices heard and everyone in the community needs to be involved,” he said.