PM wants fair representation

By JIMMY KALEBE
PRIME Minister James Marape has called for fair representation from all stakeholders, including landowners and developers during the development processes of the K9 billion Wafi-Golpu mining project.
“The project must be fair, just and equitable and all voices have to be heard throughout its progress,” he said.
Marape made the remarks during a one-day consultative project update and special mining lease (SML) permitting process meeting with stakeholders in Lae yesterday on the Wafi-Golpu project.
He said leaders from all levels have to work in partnership with landowners and other stakeholders and make sure that no-one was left out and there was equality distribution during the different stages of the project. “The Government has realised what has happened in the past in such impact projects where landowners and other stakeholders were not fully consulted and is now trying as much as possible to get all parties to a common understanding with transparency in all dealings,” he said. He assured stakeholders that his Government would try its best to make sure all parties involved were well represented and that benefits were shared equally.
Marape called on responsible government agencies involving in negotiations to be transparent.