Wampar landowners want the same deal mining areas getting

THE Labu Butu people of Wampar Local Level Government in Huon Gulf have called for more dialogues and equitable benefit sharing regarding the Lae Tidal Basin and Lae main wharf developments.
This followed a meeting by the elders and representatives from Dusuku, Menangatu, Kakala and Lunda in Lae recently.
Lunda clan chairman Guy Kiliki asked if landowners from the mining areas and oil and gas fields can benefit from the use of their resources, the why should the people of Labu Butu not be treated the same?
Kiliki said that with the new contract signed with International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI), the people of Labu Butu now must be considered in the sharing of benefits under the 30 per cent allocation agreed upon.
Women’s representative Cledis Taekeka said: “We urged the government to consider us in the 30 per cent benefit sharing for landowners as agreed to by the ICTSI over the next 25 years,” Taekeka said.
Village leader Kipu Anonga said the 30 per cent can be shared among the landowners of Labu Butu and Butibam.