K15mil fund waiting for landowners to sort issues

Business

By LUKE KAMA
A project security fund of K15 million belonging to Petroleum Development Licence (PDL)7 area is still sitting in a bank account awaiting landowners to work together and access the funds, an official says.
Deputy chairman of Hides PDL 7 LLG Special Purpose Authority Eric Haroli told The National yesterday that the money was part of a K35 million project security fund of the PNG LNG project paid to PDL 7 and PDL 1 landowners in Hela by the National Government since 2017.
“PDL1 landowners have received their share of K20 million and PDL7’s share of K15 million is still sitting at the Hides PDL7 LLG Special Purpose Authority’s bank account, but cannot be accessed to help the people because we have a court order putting hold to the transaction and use of that money,” he said.
Haroli said it was important
was for the other factions to sit together with the authority, mediate and have it settled outside court, and have the funds released to
the people of the six blocks in PDL 7.
“This money belongs to the 227 clans that come under the six blocks under PDL7 and the authority is the legitimate body to ensure the funds are managed well to serve everyone,” he said.
“I, on behalf of my chairman and the board, am calling on the other factions, who are also our brothers, to come and sit together with us and have this issue sorted out to help our people who are currently suffering from the effects of natural disasters at home.”
Grants, royalties and equities, high impact projects grants and development levies owed to the State and ExxonMobil.