Landowner group warns against rushing plan

 A GROUP of landowners in the Ramu Two hydro-power project in Eastern Highlands has called on project manager Kumul Consolidated Holdings not to rush with the social mapping of the impacted areas.

Kafore Landowners Association and Impacted Landowners Association chiarman Willie Numo said that after certain individuals and Kumul Consolidated Holdings officials tried to rush a team to the site for social mapping.

He said as chairman of the two bodies, he did not want to see dealings done covertly because the Government had invested a lot of money in the project.

“I will ensure that all processes are fulfilled in a transparent manner. I condemn deals done without the consent of genuine landowners,” Numo said.

He advised Minister for State Enterprises and Public Investments William Duma and Kumul Consolidated Holdings not to entertain any other group or individual other than the two associations he represent.

He is ready to join another landowner group leader Pakop Kurua, his agents and other interested parties to see Duma “before we proceed any further”.

Numo said his group represented the majority of landowners from the impacted areas.