Project upgrade hailed

 By GABRIEL LAHOC

THE principal landowners of Yonki where the hydro power plant is located have welcomed the K2 billion upgrading of the grid project in Eastern Highlands.

Treasury Minister Don Polye returned two weeks ago from New Delhi, India, after signing a loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank for US$83 million (K2 billion) to complete the Port Moresby power grid and the Ramu power grid.

The Japanese International Corporation Agency, as a co-financier of the project, will also be involved in the construction phase of the project.

But the Abinakenu Land and Resource Owners Association has advised the National Government to remember that they had not been paid any compensation.

Association president Peter Katera, on behalf of more than 3,000 people living in communities spread over 300ha of land in Yonki, said it had been missing out on developments and benefits since the commissioning of the dam in 1972.

“We have been missing out since 1972 on many benefits including business spin-offs, royalties, land compensation and development grants,” he said.

“But I have complete trust in the government to be transparent and accountable. We want the prime minister and the National Government to tell us the Abinakenu people how we are going to benefit from that K2 billion,” Katera said.