Mekere: Truth vital

 PNG Sustainable Development Program Ltd chairman Sir Mekere Morauta says the company is encouraged by the awareness campaign by community mine continuation agreement (CMCA) leaders in Western.

“The work being done by the CMCAs is helping Western people understand how they have been cheated of their rights and benefits by the government’s expropriation, without compensation, of the Ok Tedi mine,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“A lot of half-truths and disinformation are being spread in Western by people who are looking to benefit personally and commercially from the government’s expropriation.

“It is vital that the truth is available to the public so they know exactly what they have lost and what the CMCAs are doing to try to restore their rights and benefits.

“PNGSDP recognises that the CMCAs have the best understanding of the issues and encourages Western people to attend their awareness and information sessions.”

Sir Mekere said the recent public awareness and information sessions conducted by the CMCA leaders in Daru had been successful. 

He urged people in Kiunga and Tabubil to attend similar sessions there so that they had all the facts available to them.

Sir Mekere urged interested people to visit the PNGSDP website, www.pngsdp.com.

“The unfounded rumours and gossip being spread by vested interests is not the basis on which to make good decisions for the future wellbeing of Western,” he said. 

“The CMCA and mine village leaders, the elected representatives of the mine-affected people, are in the best position to provide sound advice to communities deprived of their rights and benefits.”