Tribe wants their clan vetting done

By DALE LUMA
THE Tuguba tribe of Hides Petroleum Development License One (PDL1) in Hela wants the Government to complete their clan vetting so that they can receive their PNG LNG benefits.
It follows a National Court ruling on Aug 5 by Justice Nicholas Miviri recognising eight clans from the tribe as the legitimate beneficiaries of the 12.5 per cent split from the overall 25 per cent in benefits.
Chairman Howard Lole said the people did not want to waste any more time.
“We call upon the MRDC and the Department of Petroleum to facilitate the final phase of clan vetting and the opening of accounts for the Tuguba block,” Lole said.
“Many of our chiefs and elderly people have died without benefiting from the proceeds of the PNG LNG project.
“The proceeds which could have been used to improve the wellbeing of our people are unnecessarily parked in the trust accounts because of unnecessary in-fighting between clan and family members.”
Lole urged all clans to work together.
MRDC managing director Augustine Mano told The National yesterday that clan vetting was a function of the Department of Petroleum. The MRDC facilitates the accounts opening.