Position paper hijacked: Basil

THE finalisation process of the Morobe government’s position paper on the Wafi Golpu copper and gold mining project has been hijacked, according to Bulolo MP Sam Basil.
Basil, also the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Commerce and Industry, was responding to a three-day review last week in Lae of the position paper which not everyone, including himself, was invited to. Basil said the position paper covered the whole province which meant that all key stakeholders including landowners from the main ore body, the pipelines landowners, and district representatives, should have a say in it.
Prime Minister James Marape wants the multi-million kina get off the ground quickly and Basil agrees. “This means that all stakeholders have to work together in an open, transparent and accountable way to deliver this vital project,” Basil said.
“We have had enough delays due to differences and mudslinging. It is now time to get together and deliver the project.”
Basil said invitations to the position paper review last week arrived late and it took place at a time when most of Morobe’s MPs were on national duties.
He called for a halt to the finalised Morobe government’s review position paper because any consideration given at this stage could result in further delays later.
Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu, who headed last week’s meeting, said Morobe must not further delay the project. “We are engaging with the relevant stakeholders and will continue to do so,” he said.
“We had over 200 participants attending the review meeting last week and we are looking forward to the landowners’ presentation on their position this week.”
Saonu called on Basil and other MPs in Morobe to work in consultation with his office.