Leaders call on Kora to explain

NATIONAL Planning secretary Dr Peter Kora has been accused of collaborating with senior Oil Search employees in selecting groups and individuals to be recipients of the infrastructure development grants (IDG) for the multi-billion-kina liquefied natural gas project in Southern Highlands.
The accusation was made at yesterday’s gathering by landowners outside the Vulupindi Haus. The people had demanded explanations on the whereabouts of their K240 million IDG funds and the different lists allegedly kept by Treasurer Don Polye, Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma and the ministry and Department of National Planning.
Au Manda Resource Ltd chairman Peter Ako and Hides Gas Resource Ltd chairman Willie Wandiya said before any payments could be made, the payout list had to be revisited and revised.
“We strongly recommend that the lists kept by Duma and Polye be considered and, if necessary, revised so that additional funds can be paid for the payments to be made once and for all,” Ako said.
Wandiya said all resource owners starting from Portion 152, pipeline route and Hides PDL1 to PDL9 must be included in the IDG payments.
“The National Planning secretary must humble himself and work with the Finance secretary in executing these payments, not with some company officials who are in a conflict-of-interest situation,” Wandiya said.
“Instead of confusing the landowners further, all departments and government officials included in the LNG payments must work together and correct the list to pay all genuine claimants.”
The landowner chairmen said it would be better if the 2012 IDG payments were settled this year so that from next year onwards, stricter guidelines could be formulated to avoid such problems.
The landowners at Vulupindi Haus yesterday were from Juha, Angore, Gobe, Hides, Komo, Moran, Portion 152 and the LNG pipeline route.
Police were also called in to protect state properties and prevent any violence and rioting.