Local people must become project partners

 CURRENT national investors in PNG Main Ports in the Stevedoring and Container Terminal operations have a very genuine claim in their call for recognition and consideration in the new International Container Terminal Operator bid. 

They have shown beyond reasonable doubt that they can deliver. Since the concept of equal partnership was introduced to them in 1992, these national heroes took the drive and initiative and developed their local interests into internationally recognised competitive port service providers. 

They did not gather at Waigani or at Tutumang Haus or at Madang and Rabaul town and beg for seed capital. 

They did not hold their provincial roads, airports, schools and government services at ransom to wait for the government to help them sort out their benefit sharing options. 

They took on the challenge, obtained commercial loans and invested soundly.  They broke what was once a foreign dominated sector wide open for local and national participation. 

They showed the world over that, yes Papua New Guineans can do it.      

If they had brought the Lahir Mine, Simberi Mine, Wafi Mine. Tolokuma Mine and Pogera Mine to fruitation without a glitch and that they delivered the huge LNG Gas project up to steam without a whistle. No PNG politician should say we Papua New Guineans cannot deliver! If you have, go hide in disgrace as a back stabbing cheap shot coward leader.   

Critics must not just localise this issue as merely a local land owner struggle. This is a Papua New Guinean struggle! The mines will close, the oils will dry up and the gas will blow out. 

But the sea will never dry. 

Our National Ports must never be sold out to foreign interests. The Private Partnership Policy is the way forward. The O’Neill Government has dished out K100 million and K200 million under that policy in the highlands region to assist traditional highlands landowners get a foothold in benefiting in important sectors in their provinces.  

I believe it is only fair that all traditional port landowners and national investors be given that same token of investment option right around PNG. 

PNG National investments must be supported to prosper and grow. That I believe is saying PNG, stand up and be independent. 

Do the right thing, Minister Ben Micah and Peter O’Neill, provide for your people.

Gilinde Kitoria

Ahi Nga’pali, Lae