Ramu Nickel issue mine

THE inclusive participation of local landowners in the forthcoming negotiations of the Ramu Nickel mine memorandum of agreement review is critical for the collective benefit of the resource owners.
During the initial signing ceremony of Ramu Nickel mine memorandum of agreement in 2001, our clan leaders from the respective clans within the Kurumbukari special mining lease area SML 193 and the Road and Water Easements impact areas were rushed into signing this important document without proper guidance and advice from experts because the circumstances at that time was not conducive.
This has resulted in many repercussions including missed opportunities for the resource owners.
To this day the future of the resource owners looks bleak if the upcoming Ramu Nickel mine MoA review does not include a fair and equitable benefits sharing Structure for the resource owners.
We demand nothing less than a tangible and meaningful benefits maximisation structure in which benefits and opportunities are fully maximised by the local landowners.
The National Government, Madang provincial government and the developer MCC Ramu Nickel Ltd must never ignore the plight of the resource owners during the Ramu Nickel mine MoA review because it is their responsibility to ensure that the best interests of the local landowners are meaningfully prioritised.

John Mangua Yoga
GOROKA- EHP