Group wants in on talks

 By SHIRLEY MAULUDU

THE executive of an incorporated land group on which the new Port Moresby port will be built, on Motukea Island, has urged the government to involve the landowners in its development. 

Nenehi Laurina chairman Nou Gagoa claimed that they were not consulted during initial stages of the agreement formulation.

He said they only became aware of the state’s move to relocate the Port Moresby wharf to Motukea through media reports.

Earlier this month, Public Enterprises and State Investments Minister Ben Micah said the signing of the execution of sale and purchase agreement for the relocation of Port Moresby wharf to Motukea was set to take place soon.

He said the signing would take place between the Independent Public Business Corporation, the PNG Ports Ltd and Curtain Brothers following cabinet approval.

Gagoa said the landowners didn’t want to interfere with the project’s development.

But, he stressed that the group wanted their concerns to be heard, to be a party to the agreement so they could benefit from development spin-offs.

“We were so surprised that an agreement has been arranged. Our concern is we were not being notified or informed that this agreement will be done.

“We are not disagreeing with this agreement … we agreed to this proposed international wharf, but our only concern is we want to be involved in that agreement.”