Resource company ready to open bank accounts for landowners

THE Mineral Resource Development Company (MRDC) is ready to help the Hides PDL 7 Landowner clans to open their bank accounts.
Managing director Augustine Mano said that MRDC was ready as long as the Department of Petroleum gave the clearance for them to go and open the accounts for the beneficiary so they could receive their royalties and equities.
Mano said that in response to Hides PDL 7 landowners who wanted the Department of Petroleum and MRDC to go and open accounts next week.
The landowners said they had waited for far too long after the clan-vetting exercise was completed and the ministerial determination was gazetted and publicised in the daily newspapers early this year.
The landowner leaders led by Andy Hamaga, Chris Payabe, Patrick Tapuka, John Honale, Endose Ayagali, Max Maperia, John Kaloma, Eric Haroli, Lujabo Hurulu and Huli Ajule said the people wanted the accounts to be opened so they could receive their benefits by next month to be able to celebrate the festive season with their families.
However, the acting Secretary for the Department of Petroleum, Lohial Nuau said the opening of account was the function of MRDC and advised the Paper to communicate with MRDC.
The landowners are calling on the Minister for Petroleum Kerenga Kua, Nuau and MRDC not to play a blame game but listen to the cries of the people who had waited for so long to share the benefits from their God-given resources.
“We want to make it clear that there is no landowner issue at PDL 7. The people are united and only waiting for the accounts to be opened,” the landowners said.
“The 277 clans have been identified as beneficiaries so there is no reason for the delay.
“We acknowledged the work of the former minister Dr Fabian Pok for identifying the landowners.
“Now the task is on Kua to direct the department and MRDC to open the account and release the fund.”
The landowners also warned the state and its agencies not to entertain any individual claiming to be a leader trying to submit claims as it would open up floodgates for more claims.
“As such, we want to say that Eric Yawai is not a mouthpiece of the 277 clans to threaten any process inducing the opening of the bank accounts.”