Governor commends negotiating team

SOUTHERN Highlands Governor William Powi has commended Prime Minister James Marape and the team representing the state on the outcome of the discussions on the P’nyang gas project.
Powi said the prime minister allowed Petroleum and Energy Minister Kerenga Kua and the state negotiation team leeway to negotiate with ExxonMobil and partners without any pre-conceived arrangements with project proponents.
“We shall not be moved for demanding a fair share of our resources,” he said.
Powi said there was often a wider view that PNG needed P’nyang gas immediately to prop up its economy due to the large budget deficit.
“Exxon sees our weak economy and our vulnerability, we as a nation need one or two impact projects for some immediate capital inflows into our economy and they see our weakness and desire to take advantage,” he said.
“Yes, that maybe the case through God’s inspiration and guidance Prime Minister James Marape and his negotiating team remained steadfast.
“Isn’t that commendable?
“Tell me if this is not?”
Powi said Papua New Guineans needed to understand the full content and rationale of Marape and the decision of the state negotiating team.
“In my humble view, we as a country, must stand tall now and should rally to support Kua, the state negotiating and, of course, our prime minister,” he said.