Namah slams deployment
By DALE LUMA
OPPOSITION Leader Belden Namah has condemned the recent deployment of soldiers to the Porgera mine, saying it is unconstitutional and may lead to another “Bougainville crisis”.
The 105 soldiers left Port Moresby on Sunday following a friction between the mine operator Barrick (Niugini) Limited and the Government over the non-renewal of the special mining licence.
The company is challenging the Government’s decision in court.
Namah said yesterday there was no call-out order by the Government on the Porgera mine issue, adding that it should not be using the Covid-19 state of emergency to justify such deployments.
“Why do we (deploy) 100-plus soldiers to the Porgera gold mine?
“Where is the call out order?” Namah said. “You cannot use the state of emergency on Covid-19 pandemic to send troops to Porgera to guard the mine.”
He said there was no coronavirus breakout at the mine.
“It is a bad (decision) by the Government to send soldiers to mine sites,” Namah said.
“It is unconstitutional and you cannot invoke a state of emergency within a state of emergency to address a totally different situation.
“It is not their job. If there is a law and order issue in Pogera, then it’s a job for the police.
“Not soldiers.”
Namah said the Government should be wary of the ramifications of the decision considering that Barrick was a Canadian company and the second largest miner in the world, and Zijing, its major shareholder, was a Chinese company.
20 comments
No matter how big or good they are if this is for the good of PNG kids tomorrow
Thus far, the defense force personnel haven’t done anything as yet contrary to their mission but as we know they are being deployed there to maintain order at the mine site.
As a citizen of this resource blessed country, I stand with the current Government’s decision to Nationalise Porgera Mine. Imagine this lousy 5% is not enough. The developer and the other so-called major stakeholders are sharing the remaining 95%. WHERE IS JUSTICE????
It is a very good idea to deploy soldiers to the giant mine site to keep an eye on the land owners and the Barrick Niugini from any further frictions,you can not just sit there and watching your own countryman gets in to trouble just like our people from Bougainville and Tari where alot of bloods being shed.Mr.prime minister you are a great leader having alot vission to transform this little island country which has so many resources to a black rich christain country on earth,as the say goes start bit by bit and will greadually transform.We can not see the change over night,PMJM you put your footh in a right directions so please I beg some like minded MPs from the paliament to support PM to fight hard on behalf of our kids for tommorrow’s sake.And try to take our minerals back from those gready foreign investors.Our fore fathers are mistake by issuing licences to them without signing proper agreement for the benefit our future generation of PNG.
Namah as a former military man you have failed to critically analyze the situation on the ground at porgera before making public announcements. The solders are deployed to porgera not to quell an upraising or face the disgruntled landowners as was the case in Panguna. No they were sent there because the mine has shut down and there are millions worth of machinery, equipment and property there that might be taken advantage of by opportunist. On the contrary the local landowners and the Enga provincial government have welcomed this decision by the government with open arms. just because you are in the opposition, so you have to oppose every action by the government. Sometimes you have to critically analyze the situation before making judgments, decision etc etc….
It’s about time we stand on our feet so to speak. Learning for over 40 years should be enough to start something for ourselves. Mistakes will be done, yes! But we learn from it and prosper for our future generations.
We have thousands of mine workers, retired and current who knows ins and outs mine operations, just provide them the resources they need and a bit of guidance along the way and make it our own 100%.
Thumbs up to the government
I think PM made a rightful decision pertaining the refusal of Porgera Mine Agreement for next 20 years. And also deployment of soldiers together with police force is quite good decision. You have to break the wall when the situation gets tougher and seen helpless. I think the main reason behind deployment is to protect and safeguard the billion dollars worth working capital assets in porgera. And therefore, general public should know that deployment of soldiers is not brutalized the legitimate Porgerans it Enga but it is to protect company’s assets for illegal miners…
They wont be a civil war in Porgera.
We genuine landowners are in supportive to Marape/Steven govts decision.
BN some of your informations are irrelevant.Its is clear that you’re serving Barricks/foreign interest…
Well done to PM Marape and Government.
I salute and commend your bold and courageous actions.
PNG will fight this to the end.
BN is an excellent,SLAMMER he is very good as opposition leader slamming everything the government does. He should be permanent opposition leader for life.
Good on you slammer. Keep slamming!
Has the Government indicated what is the future actions the Govt. intends to take. Has this action indicated that The Govt. intends to Nationalise the Mine ??.
And there we are again. That little dog is barking again. That’s best best it does, because barking dogs don’t bite.
PNG cannot change overnight. What PMJM government initiated was a positive choice. On the other hand, it is not bad to have a vibrant opposition, however, BN should properly analysis the outcome of any action before do the reaction, slamming, etc;. In this case PMJM have made the right decision for the betterment of the country as a whole and future generation as well.
Thumps UP! James government
PM is the CEO of this country and he has made the decision, a decision not many would have made. with you PM James Marape
Nothing constructive with your arguments BN. For the good of the people and the country as a whole, the PM need to do what is right for today’s Generation, the next Generation and the Generations yet to come.
Nothing constructive with your arguments BN. For the good of the people and the country as a whole, the PM need to do what is right for today’s Generation, the next Generation and the Generations yet to come.
Thanks PMJM we all 5 Hella brothers are with you for good bold decision against mine extension….BN must understand that 2 Hella provincial Government unsupportive of no to extension…This 5% not enough to shine in
Getting robbed is enough
OL GO LONG LUKAUTIM PROPERTY – INO PAIT!
If BNL leaves, how fast will that mining be in operation to keep the employment and other cash flow flowing smoothly. Have we already planned for this move, next step to take, effects and other adverse this action might trigger. Am also concern about the Bilateral and multilateral relationship between these economies. What will be the lesson learnt or perception by future investors in mining sector.
my thoughts
We have been undermined of our capabilities to manage and operate mines for so long by the foreigners. I am 100 % confident that we have potential engineers from respective streams and other disciplines who are more than capable of managing and running the mines in our country. The COVID 19 pandemic has given our national mine workers the opportunity to prove to the outside mining industries that we can run our own mines without the presence of foreign managers.
Mr. Marape, I salute you for your bold stand for the benefit of your people and the country.
PM James Marape might act on sound advice by ordering troop deployment to Porgera Mine. I guess Honourable Belden Namah fully understands the strategic importance of Porgera Mine and would personally lead the platoon to the mine if still in the PNGDF.
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