Porgera landowners association calls on NPL to follow law

THE Porgera Landowners Association (PLOA), the representative body for the landowners of the Special Mining Lease (SML) 13 areas of the Porgera mine wants to work with stakeholders on the remaining compensation agreements.
PLOA chairman Mark Tony Ekepa expressed concern over recent actions he claimed by New Porgera Limited working with individuals.
“It has come to our attention that New Porgera Ltd has selectively engaged individual clan members in compensation discussions scheduled by the Mineral Resources Authority, bypassing PLOA,” he said.
“The selection of landowner clan members for participation in discussions is an affront to the democratic processes that PLOA upholds. We appeal to New Porgera Ltd to cease this divisive tactic immediately.
“We call on NPL to respect the rule of law by acknowledging PLOA as the sole negotiating body on behalf of SML 13 landowners. Let us work together to ensure that mine benefits are shared equitably and landowner welfare is safeguarded.”
Attempts to get comments from NPL yesterday were unsuccessful.