Issues of gas, land and free speech challenge PNG

SOCIAL and mainstream media reports present so much information that require the users to digest and ascertain its validity.
However, some information that threaten conventional norms and human rights should be taken seriously by everyone.
Three recent reports on social and mainstream media that will have serious negative implications for Papua New Guineans are:

• The manner in which the PNG LNG project was signed;
• the report of the selling a prime land in Port Moresby to a Chinese investor; and
• The prime minister’s writ against Madang MP Bryan Kramer for libel.

Where on Earth can we find a government that proposes to review the mining and petroleum act after a few days of signing a deal under the existing law that accords landowners only 2% of the benefits?
The Papua LNG project is the second such case. Did we not learn from the Hela LNG project?
I hope the Papua LNG landowners will not join their Hela cousins and wait forever for the promised benefits. Another shocking revelation was that the Lands minister and the NCD governor did not have any idea about the sale of a piece of prime land in NCD between Telikom and a Chinese investor, yet they seemed to be the happiest people attending a ground-breaking ceremony to develop the same piece of land.
Where on Earth do we find politicians of such calibre?
While the court will decide on the case against Kramer, in my view the outcome of this case will have huge impact on the freedoms of speech and expression that we enjoy.
Freedoms of speech and expressions are fundamental pillars of democracy which empower constituents to speak out on matters that are not consistent with policies, principles of public office and good governance.
It serves as a filter to refine and reinforce transparency, and accountability, the key ingredients to good governance.
Whether these democratic pillars are strengthened or weakened will depend on Kramer’s ability to defend himself in the court of law.

Bomai D Witne
Brisbane