The Papuan LNG Leaders and stakeholders met with the Minister for Provincial and Local Government Affairs and Member for Kikori, Soroi Eoe at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby yesterday to iron out their outstanding issues.
Accompanying Minister Eoe was Minister for Energy and Member for Kairuku, Peter Iso-Aimo and the Secretary for the Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs, to provide their necessary support with the conversations around the Papuan LNG Project.
After all the concerns raised and resolutions put forward, the disgruntled Leaders and Landowners still showed frustration over the no show of Minister for Petroleum, Jimmy Maladina and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
The Landowners and their leaders expressed their frustration as to why NPA and the Minister for Petroleum did not turn up at their meeting, as they are the rightful people responsible to respond to their concerns and issues raised.
Minister Soroi told the landowners and their leaders that the government’s current focus is on a very critical national issue that could affect the movement and interfere with the business of what they are trying to achieve.
He made it clear that there is no discrimination involved in the conversation of the Papuan LNG Project, if that was how they feel towards the government. It is all about the availability of resources to assist where they are.
“For the time being, funds are already allocated, and the National Petroleum Authority has been given money, and it should be now addressing the outstanding issues that you are confronted with. Apart from the NPA, the Gulf Provincial Government has also been given money. The same type of assistance packages that the government has given to NPA. So those issues have now been addressed, and I want to give you the assurance,” clarified Minister Eoe.
In relation to the distribution of equities and who benefit from the project, few ILG’s from the Baimuru and Ihu LLG raise the issue of inclusiveness and ensuring everyone benefits.
Ministers Eoe, supported the concerns raised and emphasized that it is important that those that are not within the development corridor have to, in one way or the other be included, so that everyone is happy.
However, the Minister reminded the people that the process has just started, and it will take more than five to ten years before the actual benefits will be seen or received by the people. He said it is important that whatever decisions that we make are for the future of our children as many of the elders that have started this process would not be around to enjoy the benefits from this project.
Eoe also made it clear that the government’s policy direction is clear, ‘No One Is Left Behind”. And based on that policy, all processes must be done with careful considerations and directions so that everyone is happy.
He added that, “The power lies with you. Whatever you say or however you want things done, the government will listen to you. If you feel the current developers are not the right ones, it is up to you to say no, and we can always go to another. But in order to keep the conversation moving, I urge all of us to work together. Let us all work in unity and ensure everything is done right before any final decisions are made.”
In supporting Minister Eoe’s sentiments, Kairuku MP and Petroleum Minister, Peter Iso-Aimo reminded the people of Gulf to make decisions based on their children’s future. He said the benefits to come will be overwhelmingly huge and will continue for years.
"That is why it is important to make good decisions today, so that your children will not have problems in the future."
The Member for Kairuku, however, commended the people of Gulf for been calm and collective on the Papuan LNG issue, through their careful participation in the discussion and standing together and working together, with one common interest.
With the opportunity presented, Minister Iso-Aimo also vouched for his people of Kairuku, especially the ones within the pipeline corridors of the Papuan LNG project. He said his people want at least a little bit of what the people of gulf will get, as they are also part of this project.
As Minister Iso-Aimo acknowledged the people of Gulf for allowing him to include his people’s concerns in the discussions, he also expressed his disappointment on fellow cabinet Minister for Energy together with National Petroleum Authority for not turning up to face the landowners and respond to their concerns.
Meanwhile, an agitated elder and leader of the people of Muro in West-Ihu LLG raised the issue on the K100 million funding allocated to cater for this forum and cater also for the landowners that are in attendance.
Mr. Dominic strongly urged that the National Petroleum Authority, and the Petroleum Minister must reveal to the landowners as to what happened to the K100 million and demands the authorities or organizers to get these sorted out as soon as possible.
He said the treatment they are receiving is not even near to what they had expected as the custodians of the resources that will have a lasting legacy to changing Papua New Guinea and the world.
For the meantime, the forum has been put on hold until the current issues and matters are addressed.
