Yawari calls on Govt, PM to pay up

KUTUBU landowners have called on the Government to pay at least K600 million from the outstanding MoA and SSG funds for the licence-based forum to start in Moro.
Foe landowner leader Hami Yawari also called on Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to intervene to ensure the Dec 8 final investment decision is realised.
The former governor said the ball was in the Government’s court for them to deliver the PNG gas project.
“The landowners wanted the project and will support but the Government must honour its commitments,” Mr Yawari said yesterday.
He said the Kutubu forum was officially opened on Saturday by Petroleum Minister William Duma, who was accompanied by Public Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare, Sports Minister Philemon Embel, Kagua-Erave MP James Lagea and Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru.
Mr Yawari said the total MoA funds stood at K1.7 billion and SSG was K674 million which had been outstanding since 1992.
“Our people are peaceful and want the project to go ahead, but the Government must pay what it owes to the people before the forum takes place.”
Mr Yawari also claimed that the Government team also took with them K30 million to pay landowners but this was rejected.
He said Sir Michael must save the project because there were resentments in Hides, Gobe and Kutubu.