Government should thank Hela for their sacrifice

 THE future looks brighter for PNG with PNG anchoring its economic prestige on the US$19 billion PNG-LNG project. 

With the sales of gas price locked in, the future looks promising as the ‘Gigra Laitebo’ ignites the world. 

An estimated 6.9 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas will be shipped to China, Taiwan and Japan each year for the expected 30-year lifespan of the project. 

Despite all the hype, the custodians of the gas have yet to see any toea.

The people of Hela have selflessly delivered one of PNG’s biggest ever project and even one of Pacific region’s biggest liquefied natural gas projects. 

The sales of gas are sustaining this economy in which by now this country should have been on life support. 

The government is using the anticipated revenue of the LNG project to borrow money to keep the economy afloat. 

There is no reason why the custodians should be paid lip service by a government which the Hela people have entrusted in signing off their gas. 

Hela has been made the sacrificial lamb where its resource has been robbed without a word. 

The prime minister should say thank you to the people of Hela. 

Andy Hetra, Via email