Landowners want compensation

Landowners of the Ramu Two hydropower project in Eastern Highlands want to be properly compensated for the Ramu One project before work begins on the second phase.
The group, led by chief Anava Unasi of the Baene clan and former Kainantu MP Avusi Tanao, said they sought to meet with State Enterprise and Public Investments Minister William Duma as well as Kumul Consolidated Holdings.
Tanao, a three-term Kainantu MP from 1982 to 2007, said locals were given a “raw” deal since 1970 when the project was started by PNG Power Ltd’s predecessor, the PNG Electricity Commission.
He said they had been waiting for unfulfilled promises by the Government, including free electricity, since the project started.
“We are still waiting for these promises and the Government comes up with this Ramu 2 project,” Tanao said.
“I am a principal landowner of Ramu One. I have had these experiences over the years.”
Unasi said the Ramu Two project should not be allowed to go ahead if the promises by the Government were not kept.
He said they had been in and out of court over the last 15 years but the Government went ahead with the second phase.
Unasi showed a copy of a court decision proving that they were the legitimate landowners of the land on which the project was situated.
“We have had the bad experiences of Ramu One, so I want things to be done properly,” he said.