Take stock of environment, says governor

 By JAYNE SAFIHAO

MADANG Governor Jim Kas has urged people in the province to stand and air their views on the dumping of waste, especially mine tailings in their area.

A constitutional law reform commission team was in the province to gauge views from the people on the dumping of tailings into rivers and ocean.

Kas, chairman of the provincial executive council, wants the people to take stock of their environment.

Kas said people from Raikos, Bogia, Ramu and surrounding areas should think seriously and speak out about the waste disposal system which Ramu Nickel was using.

Kas, whose stronghold is in Ramu, is keen to find an alternative solution to the river and sea tailings system.

People in Ramu have reportedly seen a sedimentation build-up, dead fresh water fish and the dumping of metal wastes into the river.

Kas said the developer and government departments responsible for allowing work to continue despite the destruction to the environment, were not doing enough to educate the people about the risks they faced.

“They are capitalising on the people’s ignorance,” he said. 

“The mine wastes are now being carried by ocean currents to as far as Manus, New Ireland, West New Britain and Bougainville.”

Department of Environment and Conservation project coordinator Goro Arigae said the Scottish Association of Marine Scientists completed their oceanographic survey last year and presented their findings to the department which was yet to make them public.

He said it was due to some outstanding payments yet to be made to them.