Seymour still not happy with mining deal

HUON Gulf MP Ross Seymour has called on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Mining Minister Johnson Tuke and Energy Minister Sam Basil to tell the people of Morobe and Papua New Guinea the true value proposition of the recently-signed memorandum of understanding on the Wafi-Golpu project.
“We are aware that the State and the developer have already agreed to a 51/49 per cent equity split, of which the State’s share would be extensively redistributed to the rest of PNG,” he said.
“In light of that, the Government has not informed what cut we are getting from what the State will redistribute.
“We need to be informed now than later.
“We need to know that the State and our representatives at the negotiation table are putting our interest first.
“As the constituent representative of Huon Gulf people, I ask for nothing less than what I consider to be fair and equitable for my people from the Wafi-Golpu project.
“Today, we refuse to be bystanders and uninformed onlookers like what our people did in the past.”
According to Seymour, Morobeans had in the past remained as uninformed onlookers and did not want that to continue this time.
“In the 1920s and 30s, the Wau and Bulolo mine fields made many in both Australia and PNG prosperous and wealthy, but not the people of Morobe,” he said.
“This time, recognise the sacrifices and efforts of the people of Morobe and give back a fair share of what belongs to us.
“Today, we shall be impacted again by another mining project, but today we do not suffer from ignorance or lack of knowledge and awareness on the social and the economic value of Wafi-Golpu project, and not the least, its environmental impacts.”
Seymour said a concession on the entire 2 per cent mining levy that had been negotiated and secured under the MoU given to the people of Morobe would be seen as a win.