Misima mine group gets govt funding

By AGNES FIFI UKI
THE government has released funds to the EUGUMA Special Mining Lease Business Group Inc in Misima, Milne Bay province, to carry out feasibility studies after the mine closure.
Tauleia Mosibe, chairman and managing director of the EUGUMA landowner group of Misima, said after a meeting with the chief secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc in Waigani that it would be a first in the country.
After the Misima mine closure in 2004 the people noted a decrease of services to them and a turndown in economic activities in the area.
Mosibe said the Misima mine was closed in an orderly process by the project owners but they did not leave much in terms of business opportunities and prospects to sustain developments for landowners.
He said caretaker Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his deputy Belden Namah last year had shown great consideration and foresight in agreeing to allocate K8.8 million for the study.
“The funding has gone through several processes for screening and is now ready to be released to carry out the study,” he said.
“The funds will be used to establish the landowners group’s administration and economic infrastructure for development of Misima Island and the region.”
Thanking the national government for giving the EUGUMA landowners the opportunity to manage the funds to undertake these activities, he called on the Milne Bay provincial government and the district’s new member who will be elected to support the group so that the study would bring positive impacts to the lives of the people.