MOA review underway: Garry

THE review on the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the Kainantu gold mine in Eastern Highlands will not be deferred, Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) managing director Jerry Garry says.
The week-long discussions on the review are currently underway in Kokopo, East New Britain.
Garry said this following a statement by the Bilimoia Landowner Association Inc which called for the suspension of the review until certain issues concerning executives of the association were resolved by MRA.
“The MRA received a letter from Kuira Lawyers on Friday (July 10) informing us of the position taken by Johnson Uringke,” Garry said.
“There is an ongoing leadership tussle over the position of the chairman within the executive committee of the Bilimoia Landowner Association.
“Johnson Uringke and Neneti Tesai have been fighting for the position of chairman.
“The MRA have on numerous occasions made attempts to bring together both factions to address issues of the landowners of Kainantu Mine.
“The records of IPA show that Neneti Tesai is the public officer and the current chairman of the association.
“The MRA recognises the legitimate chairman, who was voted into office by an election conducted by the Electoral Commission Office (Eastern Highlands provincial branch) on April 11, 2017.
“The term of office is for five years and therefore, the next election will be held on April 11, 2022.”
He said representatives from the MRA, the Government, Eastern Highlands provincial government, K92 Mining Ltd and executives of Bilimoia Landowner Association were all in Kokopo for the meeting.
“It is in the interest of all stakeholders of the project that the chairmanship of the landowner association is sorted, however, at this stage, all stakeholders to the project recognise that there are no issues with executives and their term in office,” Garry said.