Maru a no-show at signing ceremony

 By GYNNIE KERO

THE signing ceremony for the proposed K1.2 billion industrial park in Gulf fell flat when Trade Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru (pictured) declined to show up yesterday.

Maru later said that for any project the National Executive Council has to approve before he can sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU). 

However, he said this Middletown industrial park in Kikori will be given priority as he is visiting the project site next week.

“NEC has to approve before any MoU can be signed, I cannot commit the state and terms of the agreement have to be screened.

“This project (industrial park) will be given priority, I’ve made a commitment to visit the site next week and evaluate the economic viability of the project before making a submission to cabinet,” he said.

Kikori Gas Pipeline Landowners Association (KGPLA) Chairman Mark Sarong said the industrial park is one of the four impact projects in their master development plan.

Other projects include the Kikori township development and an international wharf and airport.

He said these projects were stipulated in the umbrella benefit sharing agreement and licence benefit sharing agreement signed in Port Moresby recently.

Sarong said: “The landowners propose Kikori as an economic hub under the oil and gas industry. The signing of the MoU will kick start the feasibility and scoping of the project. This project will cost K1.2 billion in construction alone”.