Shutting mine a better move

THE decision by Mineral Resources Authority (MRA)’s Inspectorate Division to shut down the Ramu nickel mine for failure to comply with the requirements of the Mining Safety Act 1977, is a good precedent.
MRA should be commended for taking the bold stand to enforce the law.
However, it remains to be seen, whether Conservation Environment Protection Authority (Cepa)made any meaningful contribution to this process of enforcing the regulatory powers to protect the environment and the people over profits.
By the same token, full credits to the Madang Governor Peter Yama for taking a bold stand on behalf of his people against corporate bullying and government institutional inertia and ineptitude, that has for so long being the enemies of progress for our people.
Yama has set a fine example for current and aspiring politicians of the mandate to represent the interest of the people.
It is people such as you who beg to differ in their thinking, decision making and action as leaders that will break the cycle of mob or group thinking and mentality which has rendered the majority of our leaders incapable of thinking for themselves.
Yama, stand tall and keep fighting for the good.
The simple question that our politicians should always ask is: “What is the cost of one life compared to the multi-million kina at stake in every development?”
Foreign investors in this country are our guests and they are expected to respect and honour the goodwill that we have offered them to invade our country, people, custom, culture, hunting grounds, sacred grounds, fishing waters, way of life etc.
If they are unable to reciprocate and honour the social contract, we have to part ways.
I am sure there are genuine guests in the queue waiting for the invitation to come in and invest.
Unethical and destructive business practices should not be allowed to flourish.
This stand by MRA and the governor sends a clear message to the rest of the investors in the natural resources space and should be commended and emulated by other leaders and state regulators such as Cepa.

Pro Bono