MP halts relocation of displaced villagers

National

SAMARAI-Murua MP Isi Henry Leonard has halted the relocation of 1,500 villagers displaced by mining on Woodlark Island in Milne Bay.
Leonard said yesterday that he would take the Woodlark landowners to New Ireland this month (June) to see the successful relocation programme of the Lihir gold mine landowners before the Woodlark mine developer Geopacific Resource Ltd recommenced the relocation programme for Woodlark Is mine landowners.
“The relocation programme on Woodlark Island is of sub-human standard,” he said.
“Relocation involves people’s lives and the materials used and design of the houses that will be built for 1,500 villagers is unsuitable for the people of Gulumadau village.
He said the country would build 180 houses and construction had started two months ago but were too small.
He said the landowners had large families and the houses built were inadequate.
Leonard said that the Woodlark mine developer was rushing the relocation programme without the Samara-Murua district development authority’s input.
“I, as the DDA chairman, am not aware of the relocation programme,” he said.
“In any projects like mining all parties must agree.
“And for the relocation parties that should be involve are the national, provincial, local governments and landowners,” Leonard said.
“And for this project, I as the MP am not aware of the relocation plan until today.
“Because I have to be involved so I can assist.
“Without my involvement the relocation is not good.”