Earthquake suffering

OIL Search and ExxonMobil, Papua New Guinea’s largest revenue earners, have been seriously affected by the earthquake that struck on Monday Feb 2.
I wish to convey my words of sorrow to all those affected by this disaster.
Both Hela and Southern Highlands have been hit hard. The same has happened to some parts of neighbouring Western (Ok Tedi) and Enga (Porgera) mines.
Oil Search and ExxonMobil and their contractors and subcontractors have suffered losses to property and infrastructure.
There is no denial Oil Search and ExxonMobil feed and clothe thousands of Papua new Guineans through employment, goods and services, education sponsorship, landowner royalties and equities, government commitments and statutory taxes and all those multiplier benefit outlays across the nation. Any losses to Oil Search and ExxonMobil represent a huge socio-economic catastrophe to our economy which ought to be a serious cause of concern to all.
Also, in our PNG Highlands culture, we do not start accusing and pointing figures at accused or suspected perpetrators who cause the death of a relative or cause the destructions of properties.
We mourn the dead of loved ones and wait for ceremonial formalities to be concluded before we deal with the accused and suspects.
Therefore, it is not right to start throwing mud by accusing Oil Search and ExxonMobil of causing this massive earthquake through their lawful and internationally sanctioned activities.
I do not think Oil Search and ExxonMobil would cause their own demise, so let us allow common sense to prevail rather than spread false and malicious information within our communities.
Please let us all express remorse and sympathy to those who have suffered.
Finally, I take this opportunity to thank the PNG government for declaring a state of emergency in the disaster areas.
The national government has injected K450 million into the disaster relief work which I believe is enough to start the supply chain rolling.
We have a very bad record of managing disaster funds and I hope that we will do better this time.
We should not allow roughnecks and sticky fingers to meddle with relief supplies.

Yapi Akore
Kagua-Erave
SHP