Maipakai: Know the local content

By GYNNIE KERO
LANDOWNERS must know the local content of the Gulf LNG project early in order to partner with international investors in securing business opportunities in the construction phase.
Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations and Kikori MP Mark Maipakai said they wanted equal participation in the project.
He said Gulf has been a pipeline carrier province, adding it is time they were given the opportunity to develop Kikori district and Gulf.
Maipakai applauded the government for a 50-50 sharing in the Gulf LNG project, saying the announcement would enhance better spin-off benefits for the people in his electorate to participate meaningfully in the project.
“This would also help the national government, provincial government and landowners to have better bargaining power,” he said.
“We want equal participation … this catering business and security service should come to an end.”
He said Gulf had lost a lot because the governor never signed the licenced-based benefits sharing agreement (LBBSA) and umbrella business sharing agreement (UBSA).
LBBSA is essentially important because it outlines what benefits impacted provincial government, landowners and state would receive from the project.
“As the MP responsible for Ihu and Baimuru – local level governments that would be impacted by the Gulf LNG – I thank the government for its decision,” Maipakai said.
 “Likewise, I want the provincial government and administration to set up a team to discuss how best we can capture benefit from the project.
“The project is now like a baseline study that we can learn from to initiate improvements.”
 …  I want this project to be a great success.”
Maipakai has called on the national government and InterOil not to go ahead with LBSA or UBSA until proper landowner identification was completed.