Wampar communities discuss Wafi-Golpu project

National

EIGHT Wampar communities in Huon Gulf, Morobe, are discussing how to deal with the Wafi-Golpu project pipeline passing through their customary land.
The communities are Yalu, Munum, Nasuapum, Gabsongkec, Zifasing and Tararan along the highway and Mafanazo and Tsiatz along the Lower Watut River.
The Wampar Pipeline Landowners’ Association (WPLA) is chaired by Joe Tetang, with representatives from each community.
Tetang said the benefits from the Wafi-Golpu project would profit nearby ore body communities of Babuaf, Yanta and Hengambu villages.
“However, as owners of our clan land portions the pipeline and road access will pass through, we are identifying which clan portions will these activities occur,” he said.
“Also, how best the communities will unite and work together as WPLA to ensure whatever benefits from pipeline will be invested meaningfully.”
The main focus is to invest in education and scholarships, including other essential community projects.
“We are also aiming to cultivate, nurture and supply whatever we can in fresh produce and proteins to sustain the mess in the project site,” Tetang said.
Tetang expects the impact of the billion kina Wafi-Golpu project to be enormous and involve stakeholders, ore body landowners, host LLGs Mumeng and Wampar, provincial and national governments and companies.
“Taking into consideration the impact, the WPLA also opens up to adjoining LLGs of nearby districts to share resources and work together,” he said.
The first consultation meeting was conducted at Alan Quartermain Hall at the National Agriculture Research Institute on Friday.