Landowners will benefit from hydro dam project, says minister

STATE Enterprises Minister William Duma has assured landowners of the Ramu hydro dam project in Eastern Highlands they will benefit from the project’s second stage.
“I assure that they will get a better deal for the stage two of the Ramu hydro project. It will not be the same arrangement as for stage one project,” he said.
“After all, the stage one project was done before PNG got independence. And such projects done during colonial government days are legacy issues.”
Duma said that after Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu told the house that landowners in his province, where the hydro dam project was, should benefit from the stage two projects.
Duma said: “Although the landowners gave their land, no electricity or electricity subsidy were given to them. It is not a fair thing and now, with the Ramu stage two project, I assure Numu that Ramu stage one project one is being reviewed because the Government recognises their (landowners ) contribution.”
Duma said that for Ramu stage two projects, a memorandum of agreement had been signed and 40 per cent of what the project generated would be given to the Eastern Highlands government and the landowners.
“Before November we will make a major announcement,” Duma said.