Gas site locked down

The National National

By MALUM NALU
POLICE say the entrance to the Hides gas conditioning plant at the PNG LNG Project in Hela remained locked yesterday.
Provincial police commander Michael Welli said workers were unable to move in and out.
Operator ExxonMobil said it was monitoring the situation.
“ExxonMobil PNG is continuing to monitor the situation regarding the peaceful protest in Hela province,” spokesperson Anne Rix said.
“We respect the right of individuals to peacefully protest but we also encourage continued dialogue between landowners and the Government to resolve their outstanding issues promptly.
“We are committed to maintaining a positive relationship with the landowners, the Government and the wider community.”
An Oil Search spokesman said: “We understand there is no impact to project operations at this time. But any comments on the PNG LNG Project are to be obtained from ExxonMobil as the operator of the PNG LNG project.
“Operations at Hides are continuing as normal.”
Welli said normal operation was continuing but the main gate had been locked by Hides PDL7 employees.
“The project hasn’t shut down,” he told The National.
“It’s the gate that has been locked and they (landowners) are demanding answers from leaders and the Government as to when they will get their equities, royalties and all these things from the sale of gas. That’s why they’re frustrated and are doing this.”
Welli said he understood that Prime Minister Peter O’Neill had directed a team to travel to Hela to address the landowners.
He said additional manpower had arrived from Port Moresby to provide security.
O’Neill told The National on Monday that the Government was not aware of what the grievances were but would send a team to Hides to find out.
“We are monitoring the situation on the ground and will send a team to address their concerns,” he said.
“This is unfortunate as we are not told of their grievances for us to address.”
Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari said Hela landowner leaders were camped at the entrance to the PNG LNG project but allowed employees in and out.