PM: No funds extended from K69mil

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill says there will be no funds extended from the K69 million under the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) as the matter is before the courts.
He said this in response to allegations by Chuave MP Wera Mori of political involvement in the move to amend the trust deed from Ok Tedi Development Foundation to the Ok Tedi Community Mining Interest Association
(CMIA).
O’Neill said OTDF was set up by Ok Tedi Mining Company and PNG Sustainable Development Program Ltd (PNGSDP) to address communities affected by the mine without any government involvement.
“The OK Tedi Development Foundation was set up to cover the nine landowner villages and does not cover the villages along the river which have been badly affected by the mine’s deposits,” he
said.
“The agreement was that Ok Tedi mine address issues affecting the nine landowner villages while PNG Sustainable Program Ltd look after villages along the Fly River, however PNG Sustainable failed to do
its part.”
The prime minister said he had a meeting with each of the stakeholders, including the Ok Tedi mine management, PNGSDP and the provincial government on an agreement that was all equal participation.
“No toea will be spent from the foundation until all are satisfied that it serves to benefit the people,” O’Neill said.
“The Ok Tedi Development Foundation must include the provincial government, the local MPs and the landowners.”