O’Neill lauds Japanese oil firm’s commitment

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill, pictured, has thanked Japan’s largest oil and gas company JX Nippon for its commitment to the country’s oil and gas sector, which includes the training of local staff.
O’Neill met company president Shunsaku Miyake and his delegation in Port Moresby yesterday.
JX Nippon, an important partner in the PNG LNG project, is Japan’s largest oil and gas exploration, production, importing and distribution company.
He urged the petroleum company to engage with the newly established Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited.
“There needs to be ongoing dialogue in relation to prospects for participation in the Papuan LNG project,” O’Neill said.
“A permanent team would be appointed shortly to focus on the P’nyang agreement.”
Miyake commended O’Neill for recognising his company’s interest and expressed their commitment to participate in the project to help maximise the country’s benefit.
O’Neill also thanked JX Nippon for offering PNG university students scholarships in the mining sector.
“I commend JX Nippon for instituting a training programme for Papua New Guineans, with the most recent students graduating only two weeks ago,” O’Neill said.
“I thank JX Nippon for your support in enabling our students to learn more about this industry.”
He said PNG would welcome more of such training programmes.
Miyake is in the country to talk to Government ministers and partners in the PNG LNG project.