Frieda landowners want deal to be based on amended law

FRIEDA River project landowners in Telefomin, West Sepik, want the mine agreement to be based on the amended Mining Act that is yet to be passed by Parliament.
The landowners made the call to the Government, through Telefomin MP and Foresty Minister Solan Mirisim, at Okisai village, Frieda River, on Thursday.
Spokesman Bob Onengim said the landowners wanted the mine to be the first in the country to come under the amended Mining Act.
He said the mine was going to be one of the biggest in Papua New Guinea, the landowners wanted to set a new bench mark for the local mining industry.
Onengim said landowners also wanted the State not to give tax concessions to the companies that would operate and development Frieda River project.
He said giving tax concessions continued to affect the country and the people of Frieda did not want that to be repeated for the Frieda project.
He said that was one way of taking the country back as alluded to by the Prime Minister James Marape. He said after the experiences of other mines like Lihir, Misima, Porgera and Ok Tedi, the state was in a better position to negotiate the best for the landowners and the country.
“We want the Frieda project to be unique and they want the project to be at a different level,” he said.
“We want the project to be the beginning and an example for other future mines in PNG with best benefits for the people of Telefomin and PNG.”
Onengim said one of the issues they needed to address before the mine began operation was to identify the principal landowners and related issues within the special mine lease areas.
He said the landowners wanted to see a Frieda River project awareness programme conducted as well as looking into other issues like a resettlement programme.
He said people also wanted an audience with Mining Minister Johnson Tuke and James Marape to discuss their concerns about the project.