LLG leaders laud decision by Abal

National, Normal
Source:

The National – Friday, December 17, 2010

LOCAL level government leaders in Southern Highlands yesterday expressed gratitude at the announcement by acting Prime Minister Sam Abal and Treasurer Peter O’Neill in swiftly dealing with outstanding MoA and the Kokopo UBSA payments issue.
The acting prime minister had told a Hela development seminar in Port Moresby that O’Neill had been instructed to ensure the Finance Department sort out the payments before Christmas.
LLG presidents Thomas Potape (Komo) and Hulia’s Eric Yawas, who were also at the Hideaway Hotel when Abal made the announcement, jointly said it was important that all outstanding monies and commitments must be paid.
“We are fed up with seeing our people running from one government department to another and now, the Mineral Resource Development Company.
“All we want is for our people to be paid what is due to them in the MoA and any other outstanding commitments,” they said.
The LLG presidents said the story had been the same for Kutubu oil and Hides, with many outstanding commitments yet to be settled.
“To avoid any more problems with this multi-billion-kina development project, the government must stick to the acting prime minister’s instructions and make the payments.”