New mine deal to be drafted

 By MOUA OMOA

A NEW memorandum of agreement is to be drafted for the Tolukuma Mine to ensure tangible development and proper management, according to Central Governor Kila Haoda.

He told reporters yesterday that he would take the grievances of the landowners and the workers to the government.

“The issue of Tolukuma mine is very serious issue and I had to travel there myself at the invitation of the Tolukuma management to see the situation for myself,” he said.

“They are my people and I must be personally there to witness and hear all their grievances so I can be in a position to understand and negotiate on their behalf without having to get information from others.”

Haoda said there were a number of issues raised by the landowners, including road links from Tolukuma to Port Moresby so that people could supply fresh produce from their gardens to the LNG site and others.

“People have been promised development projects but provisions in the MoA  have not been fulfilled.

“There is the long outstanding water pollution issue as a result of the mine operations and landowners are frustrated because they are not benefiting from the royalties as well.”

Haoda said the protest held on Monday this week at the provincial headquarters in Konedobu was not by landowners of the Tolukuma mine but Goilala settlers in Port Moresby.

“I have gone to see the real people of Tolukuma mine and have heard their grievances and am waiting for the Goilala MP Daniel Mona to bring the petition so we can talk with the government.

“I urge all the Goilala people living and causing problems in the city to go back to the district and cultivate the land, and sell their fresh produce at markets in the city.”