Say nothing, Chan warns

 NEW Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan has advised provincial and administration officials to refrain from commenting on allegations made by the Lihir Mine Area Landowner Association.

He told a recent provincial executive council meeting that there were many misleading statements and petitions from the association.

Sir Julius advised council members and provincial administration officers not to pursue any allegations coming from landowners, Dennis Gati and Peter Suar.

Sir Julius said the elected government of New Ireland and the Nimamar LLG were the signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding in 1995 and therefore any review of that agreement would comprise the two governments.

He said the association representing some of the landowners entered into the Integrated Benefit Package with the company and the provincial government had nothing to do with it.