Villagers in the dark regarding airport’s re-development

GABSONGKEG villagers in Wampar, Huon Gulf are still in the dark over the US$900 million (about K3 billion) funded Nadzab Airport re-development project in Morobe.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) was engaged to redevelop the aerodrome.
Wampar local level government deputy president and Gabsongkeg councillor Bill Justin said the Gabsongkeg people appreciated Nadzab Airport re-development project.
Justin, however, said that since the government took the initiative, locals were left in the dark without prior awareness from agencies such as the National Airport Corporation, National Planning and Monitoring, Lands and Physical Planning and Department of Works to ensure locals participated in spin-off activities.
“Nadzab Airport is located at the heart of Gabsongkeg community, in Wampar LLG and Huon Gulf administration is the custodian.
“Therefore, we shouldn’t be by-passed for cohesive working relationship with people and stakeholders,” Justin said.
“We need to know the local content of the project for possibilities to involve in spin-off activities.”
Justin told Huon Gulf administrator Moses Wanga, district officer Brian Dikori, land mediators and Wampar Pipeline Landowners Association chairman Joe Tetang when gauging the community’s views on Friday.
Wanga advised the community not to talk about landownership benefits as the customary landowners were dealing directly with the government.
“Apart from the Nadzab Airport redevelopment, there are several impact projects like Nadzab township development, Lae-Nadzab urban development and the four-lane road that local Wampar’s need to mobilise and involve in spin-offs” Wanga said.
Wanga denied receiving copies of the land survey and maps and physical planning reports as the custodian of the district. Tetang said the government shouldn’t ignore the grievances of local people.