Kumul decision ‘ill-timed’

The National Main Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THE decision to hand over the special mining lease (SML) to the Kumul Mining Holdings Limited has been described as “ill timed” and “irresponsible” by the Opposition.
Opposition Leader and member for Vanimo-Green Belden Namah said a petition received by the Opposition showed the dangerous path the Government was heading down.
“I am shocked that in a very short space of time the Government has issued the SML to KMHL it is highly suspicious because it is without following due process, and that the government passed legislation to subvert many of the processes to issue an SML,” Namah said.
He confirmed the Opposition would be taking the matter to court to look at the provision in the mining law that said there had to be consultation with the landowners.
“The information we have received is not good. Our aim now is to look at the amendment to the mining law and if true I will challenge it in court,” he said.
“That is a dangerous trend. How about the environment damage? Who is going to pay? With the amendment, the Government has made itself immune from prosecution by the landowners. I do not know where the Government is heading especially with the resource sector but it is a bad precedent for the country.”
Namah was supported by Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill.
Both men described the decision in the handing of the SML to KMHL as a trend to divide and rule and picking only a handful and leaving out the majority.

21 comments

  • Good points raised by Namah. The alienation of Landowners in this process is questionable. Amending the law to fit the Govt’s premise raises eyebrows. Such a law that does not allow broad participation of investors to apply is also controversial.

  • Opposition Leader and Peter O’Neil can speak out your minds but the bottom line of the decision by the government of the day is local people must benefit from their resources. Full support PMJM and your Petroleum and Energy Minister. You are doing well.

  • LSlevi…!! if you don’t know the workings of the relevant laws than don’t comment. There is something sinister going on with these rush of events on Pogera Mine!

  • Very Good,this is just the beginning of “Tacking Back PNG” I salute you James Marape and Kerenga Kua for your patriotic decisions for the good of our country,for the last 45 years non of our leaders step out and put their self interest aside and think about the enire country first.They think of themselves and hide everything in to their pockets and invest in other countries to enjoy luxury after loosing their seats as an mp..now that you twos make such decisions to put our country first it reminds me of one of our true founding father’s like Sir Iambakey Okuk who always fight hard for the good of everyone and brings alot of changes to our country that now we see and enjoy just few eg,, Okuk Highway and Air Niugini,,now this 2000 millennium nothing good has the developer of resources done to this country????? lets put our differences aside and work together for the good of our future generations to come..by taking all our resources back and own them before it is too late…..if not all of us will die in poverty….

  • On the other side of the coin, there is a pressure to kick the Chinese out of the country so they foreign elements can ripe off gold, gas, oil out of the country and they have done before without infrastructure development in all provinces.

  • “Taking Back PNG” is the nambawan priority at this pointing time. Resources we have in in all our 22 provinces belong to the people of this nation weather in the Highlands, Northern, New Guinea Islands or Central it is on PNG soil for that matter thus the citizens of this nation must benefit maximum percentage of any dealings regarding existing or new resource developments.
    Opposition Leader and Peter O’Neil must stop running to the courts all the time instead debate issues of national interest on the floor of parliament like democratic minded like leaders. Court rooms are not the floor of parliament for goodness sake. God bless PNG.

  • If the move taken by govt was irresponsible, then the responsible opposition should come up with better option(s) that would be most appropriate to address the issue than throwing mud to swamp up everything.

  • Bomai Yal – you are correct!, PO and Namah, you 2 need to stop barking and fall in same track – try to give benefit to your country’s people. Trying to go against PMJM on his decision making for Pogera Mine cause you are looking for power lo pulamapim pocket lo money na no tinkim ol people blo you2pla.

  • Good reminder from the opposition to the government to ensure all knots are tied. However, the big picture is that the current government is doing what many right thinking PNG ans have been crying for many years. Only a fool will do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. PNG needed such a change in our resource laws because we have not seen much change in the lives of people after our resources are extracted at large scale. Owner of the pig must operate it, not someone else doing it and take a piece.

  • Hon. Prime Minister James Marape, many criticisms will be made on your government’s decision, but as a leader of this nation,Papua New Guinea I salute you for the decision your government has made. Those two old foxes are publishing and posting bullshits around to bring disunity in your government. Stand firm and work toward your mission which is to make PNG a richest black christian nation. Good leadership with great vision and mission for the country. Thumbs up!

  • A decission that either PO or Namah may not be easily make was done by PMJM for the good of the landowners and other stakeholders. If you twos are opposing this action then you are suspicious of being an ally of someone.

  • Guys pls sit down n think before you start to write. What PO and BN pointed out is the truth. What JMarape and KKua did is really destrying PNG government and investors confidence. There is a saying, “You cannot change the goal post” meaning the government was ill advised on the whole Pogera Mining deal and PNG will be faced with Billions in law suits soon. PMJM is not fit to run this country.

    • Bougainville crises starts because people are feed up with investors robbing them with no proper benefits.
      Oneil has done the right move by taking OKTEDI and now JM for Pogera.
      Leaders who make tough decisions for the people are true leaders.
      Why will BNL claim billions when their agreement lapsed.
      I think PM JM is one of those leaders who is fit to make tough decisions other than late sir Iambakey Okuk who had a heart for PNG and its citizen.

  • The current government is marking tough decisions for the future prosperity of our next generation. But it is common knowledge every new decisions comes with sacrifice and it requires patience. And on the Porgera Mine the people of ENGA Province deserves better, remember we will celebrate 45th Independence this year. We should not under estimate our human resources at all levels & fields of professions and qualifications since gaining Independence. It is time to utilise this human resources and build up the next generation. Kudos to ENGA Governor who has been investing in eduction at every level. God bless PNG

  • These two corrupt leaders have nothing good to give to the PNGeans why are they barking like hungry dog. maybe they are crying for Political power. majority of people are with Government coz this current decision is for the best interest of the people not small group of people.

  • OK Tedi mine was done through right process and it went down well with it, as for Pogera, the court has asked both parties for negotiation but it wasn’t done as directed by court of the land. The Government has made the right decision but lacked some wisdom by making quick decision which we have not expected.
    Remember that this now affects the local people and other contracting companies operating within mine and employees . Even Government ‘s years budget for 2021 will be decreased because Pogera will not contribute while on shut down..

  • Not a PMJM fan, but his move to take all the resources back and give it to its rightful owners is commended.

  • Mine Operators should not try to take the Government of any Sovereign state to the courts. As all mining operations have many Environmental, Health and Social responsibility issues which the Government assists them by turning a blind eye to these issues and allowing them to continue exploiting and operating cheaply. If the Government decides to take any Mine Operator to the courts based on an Environment and Health audit carried out by an ISO14001 certified body, Mine Operators will also loose billions, loose their reputation and will automatically loose their Mining lease to the Government. In terms of wealth Mine Operators are operating cheaply with paying only 2-5% as Royalties to the Landowners and the Government. If the Government properly consults the Landowners on their share of royalties and Livelihood benefits from revenue that will be generated from Gold bullion sales when KMH operates Mines in PNG, I am pretty sure the Landowners will definitely side up their Government and really despise foreign Mine Operators. For a long time the Government has not owned any Gold bullion from it’s own land after Petromin stopped operating Tolukuma Gold Mine. For the long term the PNG economy needs to have refined Gold bullions to absorb any down falls our economy will face in the future. God bless PMJM for trying to take back PNG.

  • PNG is not isolated from the global community. Foreign direct investments from foreign partners have made it possible to where PNG is today. GoPNG is inconsiderate in such decisions. PNG can pride itself of what she has, (natural resources) but we live in a web of global community where other manufactured resources, skills, are supplied from foreign countries which together complements each other for development. Is there other options like 50/50 equity partnership? or win/win for both and gradually politely farewell this developer.

  • We need collective ideas from both side of the government on how best we can address these issues, we don’t want firing words of comments negatively towards each others. IT Seem that you are ”playing marbles” with people’s resources. They are the rightful custodians, respect their views because your leaders also come from socio backgrounds with traditional customs standing. Lets forget about our ill differences and work together for the benefit of 8 million plus people in PNG.. God will bless our leaders

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