Govt to stop fly-in fly-out

 THE Government will not allow future fly-in, fly-out system operating in the country by resource developers, Parliament was told 

yesterday.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said the services provided by companies involved in major mining and petroleum projects were important but companies operating in the country had been operating on a fly-in, fly-out basis.

He said that future issuances of licences would be controlled unless resource developers agreed to build townships in the mining areas.

“We need to take advantage of services and development, like schools, health centres and building of township to house all employees, whether foreigners or nations,” he said.

“Therefore, we need stable and consistence policy framework that every stakeholder knows the rules before operating.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by former prime minister and East Sepik Governor Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, who urged O’Neill to stop issuing licences until developers built townships and that there were no more fly-in, fly-out operations.

O’Neill was responding to series of questions from Laigaip-Porgera MP Nixon Mangape relating to the Porgera Gold Mine in Enga.

O’Neill said the Porgera mine review was well overdue and he would instruct the Mining Minister Byron Chan to ensure the review was carried out as soon as possible.

“As the Government, we need to review agreements, which are important for the benefit of our people,” he said.

O’Neill said the fly-in, fly-out issue would be considered in the mining review undertaken by the Mineral Resources Authority.