Villagers receive funding from Petromin

By GYNNIE KERO
LANDOWNER groups should build sustainable capacities and maximise revenue gains, Petromin managing director and chief executive officer Joshua Kalinoe said yesterday.
He presented a cheque for  K600,000 to Yulai Landowner Association (YLA) to honour its commitment made during the signing of a “special agreement”  at the Tolukuma mine site last June 27.
Recipients of the money include YLA and Hameng, Yaulo and Yangam clans who were also recognised as traditional landowners of the mining lease (ML 104) area.
“The payment is a gesture of appreciation to landowners for their cooperation with the Tolukuma gold mine operations,” Kalinoe said.
“Tolukuma gold mine is 100% nationally-managed with some of the best underground miners across PNG.
“Petromin will not make profit and leave the country … it is here to stay.
“I’m sure YLA executives will make good use of the funds to advance the interests of all its members and build capacity to resource itself in future.”
The payment provides real opportunity for customary resource owners to spur on other economic development activities.
YLA chairman George Gusi said the money would be used as seed capital for future sustainable programmes for all principal stakeholders and customary resource owners of Tolukuma gold mine.