PM denies involvement of companies in politics

National

By HELEN TARAWA
PRIME Minister James Marape has dismissed inferences that multi-national companies were involved in local politics.
Marape yesterday urged Papua New Guineans to refrain from attacking investors.
He said the Porgera mine was being dealt with and the multi-nationals were investment partners with the government.
“This is unnecessary speculations. These investment partners live to the tenure of their contracts they signed up with state parties. (We should) not be offensive to them,” he said.
“The politics is caused by those who want to be prime minister, let me put it simply that way.”
Marape said investors had every right to go to court if they were not satisfied with State decisions.
“In the last three months, there have been negotiations going on without state sacrificing or compromising key principles of the Marape-led government,” he said.
“The key principles include that the Special Mining Lease remains, we have majority stake in the new Porgera, we will not compromise on tax, we will maximise local content and we will maximise landowners spin-off businesses.”
Marape said Barrick had agreed to all the principles that the government had been fighting for.
“That is majority ownership eventually leading to 100 per cent ownership and sitting on the table without compromising our corporate tax,” he said.
“We have reached a point where the Barrick investors have given an undertaking to government that those principles have not been compromised or rejected.
“I don’t want to shut Porgera. We believe in fighting for greater right for our people. I want to get more for our people that must be secured. It’s better sacrificing now to secure what is best for our people.”

10 comments

  • I commend the PMJM for his governments stand on the Pogera Issue. Similar stand should be extended to all Mining, Oil and Gas Projects around the country to enable maximum return for our people and the State.

  • PMJM ,you must be commended for vision as PM for the people of this Nation. That includes complete review of the the mining and gas act.. It might not be realized today but in the near future it will be realized.

    Furthermore, we are with you i n this trying hours as PM of this country.

  • PMJM ,you must be commended for vision as PM for the people of this Nation. That includes complete review of the the mining and gas act.. It might not be realized today but in the near future it will be realized.

    Furthermore, we are with you i n this trying hours as PM of this country.

  • The people know what is going on and this is clearly stated so I dont know which part of the whole scenario dont these shortsighted MPs understand??. They seem to be using the Pogera case as an excuse which is a clear disrespect to the people of Pogera. They just have to be precise with their intentions and motives!

  • Repeating and emphasizing of important news is commendable. Thanks National for posting this. It clearly demonstrate that the PMJM and his government have a heart for this country. There is no need for a change of government.

  • Clown MPs using Porgera mine in their haste for their personal gain and power is so shameful. MPs graduated from the school of fools are drunk with the dream of getting up at the helm of PNG but their foolish actions speak of each one plain and straight forward. Multi-international investors are too big to play local politics in PNG island nation. Porgera mine has been in operation for 3 decades and which one of you MPs is less than 30 years old to talk about Porgera mine? PMJM is on his way to taking back PNG and the citizens do not want to see obstructions from fools MPs. PMJM you are not alone but silent citizens are backing you day and night.

  • The same guy who has been on the payroll of company’s when he was under Peter O’neill is now denying the involvement of companies. People, politicians don’t work for you. they are there for themselves, period. Stop fantasizing about anyone of them being honest in anyway.

  • So the 12 Ministers that moved to the opposition lied about Porgera. Simply put, they’ do not posses national leadership qualities, full of pride and greed. The NEC regularly was informed of the progress the State Negotiating Team was making on Pogera. WHERE were these MPs all these time? A better deal is negotiated and by the way I’m not suprised Sir Ipatas did not make a move.

  • Until MPs do what they do PURELY, I said PURELY, for the people, there will be peace in the political arena. If ego and power hungry comes in between-we will see more cases of VONC-maybe the rest of PNG history.

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