Pundari warned against misleading statements

NEW Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan has called on Mining Minister John Pundari not to mislead people on the payment of benefits under the Lihir memorandum of agreement, especially at a time when the matters were before the high court.
In a statement, Sir Julius said if Pundari had been properly briefed on the MoA, he would find that the national government had failed New Ireland people all along.
He said not one major project under the agreement had been completed and many projects had not yet started in the last 15 years.
He said this was not the time to play around with figures and divert public perception on the substantive issues now before court.
“Pundari, instead, should bring the national government team and their figures to the joint consultative process with the New Ireland team and be prepared to settle the outstanding arrears spanning 15 years of the Lihir MoA,” Sir Julius said.
He said the provincial government team was ready on Oct 20 and would be fully geared up for next Monday.
He said not one senior national public servant turned up at arbitration and this was equal to contempt and was disrespectful and condescending to the arbitrator.
Sir Julius said the attorney-general’s office was let down by relevant departments and was not briefed or given directions.
He said the New Ireland government and people were not interested in sweet talks at this time of the settlement process.
The minister quoted K207 million as money paid in SSG, IDG and royalties.
Pundari questioned what was outstanding and where was justice when New Ireland allegedly received an average of K14 million annually.
He said that was K5 billion in the last 15 years – 4% of the province’s contribution.
Sir Julius said their case on the Lihir MoA arrears was now before the court and he could not say any more than to urge the national government to comply with the court decision.
He warned the national government not to misread the mood of New Irelanders and understand that they were prepared to take the drastic option of shutting down the mine.