Supporting Samb’s move

IT is encouraging to learn that Transport Minister William Samb is now progressing the Jomard Passage project in a positive way and I call on all stakeholders to support and assist the minister.
During my time as governor from 2012-2017, much was achieved through the attainment of vital environmental protection measures including a two-way routing system and the particularly sensitive sea area over Jomard Passage.
We brought the attention of the international maritime community to Jomard Passage, Milne Bay and Papua New Guinea as a whole.
The dialogue opened by the minister, in conjunction with the provincial government, the Samarai-Murua district, Louisiade local level government and resource owners at this time is a welcome move.
The Jomard Passage project held much significance for the people of Milne Bay and in particular, the resource owners.
This dialogue should be supported so that further work to establish landownership as well as identifying value-added and support business activities are completed.
When all these are up and running, the attention should be turned to developing the main activity, which is mandatory pilotage.
Leaders need to be more sensitive in their comments and the use of social media in reporting such dialogues on important matters and matters of sensitivity such as the Jomard project because comments could cause more confusion and doubts in the minds of resource owners and government bodies working to develop such projects such as the Jomard Passage.

Titus Philemon,
Former Milne Bay governor