Landowners back call for MoA review

PUTPUT landowners of Lihir Gold Mine land have supported the call by New Ireland Governor, Sir Julius Chan for a review of the Lihir memorandum of agreement (MOA) and integrated business package (IBP).
Through their lawyer, Abraham Kumbari, the landowners said the review was long overdue.
In a meeting with Mining Minister Byron Chan in Port Moresby recently, a submission for appraisal of land rates for the period 1995-2010 was presented, seeking settlement under the IBP agreement after an assessment was done.
Putput landowners own the land on which the Lihir gold project is located.
During the past 15 years of the mining operations, the Putput landowners have been neglected by the LMALA, the landowner association, Kumbari said.
He said a number of compensation issues raised with LMALA fell on deaf ears, resulting in the landowners living in “ghetto lifestyle conditions”.
Following the presentation, the landowner representatives said they were confident the minister would ensure their submission was implemented.
Contained in the submission is the land rental review for period 1995-2010 appraised for prompt settlement.
Kumbari said a further seven days, from April 10, was given for LMALA and the developer to settle his client’s outstanding claim.
“This claim must be settled prior to further settlements under the current IBP and MOA reviews,” he said.