Esso confirms work stoppage

By JEFFREY ELAPA
ESSO Highlands Ltd, the developer of the multi-billion-kina PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, has confirmed that work has been suspended in the Hides area.
But it said work in other parts of the PNG LNG project sites were continuing.
Company spokesperson Rebecca Arnold said due to unlawful activities undertaken by some members of the local community, work in the Hides 4 project area was suspended after an incident two weeks ago.
She said the government and the company were talking to community leaders to resolve the issues and allow work to recommence.
Arnold said the
company encouraged continued dialogue with the communities, government and the project to address issues as they arose, without impacting project activities. 
She said the company and the government had taken steps to engage with the group in question to understand their grievances.
However, Arnold said it was disappointing that the group had continued to stop work at the project site.
She said the company had not evacuated workers from the Hides area.
But since work in the Hides area had been stopped for some time now, some workers had been demobilised because they were unable to work.
“While work stoppage actions are disruptive, we remain on track for first gas in 2014. 
“The benefits that flow from the project will have a broad positive impact on the country. And it is important that the project is completed on time.”