Juffa drives resource development

 By MOUA OMOA

THE Oro provincial government will collaborate with landowners in a proactive effort to develop their resources, Governor Gary Juffa says.

Juffa said he would work with landowner groups to determine legitimate ownership of land, registration of landowner groups and landowner companies.

He said landowner companies would then work with the provincial government’s business arm to negotiate equitable stakes in resource projects with preferred developers.

 “No equity, no deal, it’s that simple,” Juffa said in a statement.

“The landowner companies will enter into joint venture agreements with the provincial government and negotiate a best possible deal in developing their resources. No developer who wishes to develop the resources on their terms alone will be entertained.

“Landowners must be developers of their resources and the provincial government will not allow so called investors to bulldoze their views and relegate the landowners to mere royalty collectors.”

He added that consideration would be given to environmental impact, sustainability and downstream processing during negotiations for project development.

“The days of companies flying in from Waigani with no notification to the provincial government and using select landowners often playing them against each other are gone,” Juffa said.

“Either they comply or they will not be allowed into Northern, it’s that simple.

“The provincial government will work with the landowners to help them identify their land, genuine ownership, and registration of ILG, registration of company with IPA and IRC and opening of bank accounts. 

The governor warned potential investors not to bypass the provincial government when dealing with resource development in Northern. 

“I will happily show them the door in no uncertain terms,” he said.