Potape: No more LNG works delays

THE state, PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project developer ExxonMobil, landowners and other stakeholders in the  multi-billion kina project have been assured that the LNG project would go ahead full stream without any further delays.
The assurance comes from reinstated Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on LNG matters and Komo-Margarima MP Francis Potape.
Potape said this when refuting Tueday’s report on this paper by certain landowner chiefs in Port Moresby who wanted his ministerial appointment revoked and the powers transferred back to Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma.
Potape said while he welcomed criticisms on his reinstated to the LNG portfolio, comments by Himuni Homogo from Tuguba clan in Hides is uncalled for because he (Homogo) was the one that tried to tear up the licenced based benefits sharing agreement (LBBSA) forms at Hides 4 last December.
The minister stressed that as a local leader, he had to physically intervene and grab the Hides 4 LBBSA paper from being torn up by Homogo and his few disgruntled landowners on the agreements and benefit sharing for Hides.
He added that following his appointment, he had taken steps to visit the project sites at Komo, Hides 4 and Hides 1 to assure the landowners that their benefits such as business developments grants (BDG) and the establishments of incorporated landowner groups (ILGs) would be addressed at the earliest in order for the landowners to participate in the LNG project.
Potape was speaking also in close consultation with Commerce and Industry Minister Gabriel Kapris to ensure that the landowner benefits like the business development grants are paid out to legitimate landowners at the project sites in Hela soon and not in Port Moresby.
Potape was speaking to The National on Wednesday from the remote Komo government station during the launching of the Komo district treasury office complex.
He was accompanied by acting Treasurer Peter O’Neill, Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru, Koroba-Lake Kopiago MP John Kekeno, Kagua Erave MP James Lagea and Mendi MP Pr Isaac Joseph.