Tuguba LOs elect chairman

 TUGUBA Tapira landowners of Hides PDL 1 area in Hela province have elected Alois Mugani as chairman of their association in Tuguba last Friday.

More than 6000 people of the Tuguba Tapira area attended the ceremony and 11 pigs were slaughtered to formally announce the landonwner association and also welcome the election of the new chairman.

Tuguba Tapira is one of the six blocks in the Hides PDL 1 licence area that owns about 4.22 per cent equity in the PNG LNG project.

The other six blocks in Hides PDL 1 area include Tuguba, Hiwa, Kamia Kera, Buta Lupuni and JP Karai.

Mugani said Tuguba Tapira had equity in the LNG project but their interests were never represented properly.

“The Government has failed to conduct proper clan vetting before the LNG project commenced and that’s why most of us are not benefitting from the project,” Mugani said.

“Only certain paper landowners and business oriented people are benefitting whilst we are left in darkness.

“The formation of our association is timely and I welcome the support of our people from Tuguba Tapira for having the trust and confidence.

“I will ensure we maximise the opportunities and get relevant authorities address our concerns.”