Samb wants study on Tolukuma tabled in Parlt

GOILALA MP William Samb, pictured, has urged Minister for Environment Conservation and Climate Change John Pundari to table studies of the environmental impacts of the Tolukuma mine in Parliament.
Samb told Parliament yesterday that three different assessment reports of destruction and damage done to the environment and the Handabanga River by the mine had been done.
He said none of these reports had been made available for public consumption.
“Because of the fact and the legacy of OK Tedi mine causing so much destruction to the environment and the river system of the Western people, we are concerned that these assessment reports have not been made available to public for their viewing,” he said.
“I’m asking the minister (Pundari) to ensure these reports are tabled in Parliament so that a propriate action can be taken to minimise environmental issues while the mine is under liquidation.”
Samb said if there was possibility of severe environmental destruction, the mine should be closed completely.
He said after 30 years of operation, the people had received no tangible benefits apart from employment as general labourers.
Pundari concurred and said the issues raised by Samb were serious.
He said he would take it up with his organisation, Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (Cepa), and provide a detailed response.