By Jack Lapauve Jr – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Landowners in the PNG LNG project are concerned with the slow process taken by authorities to resolve the 4.27 percent equity share.
They say the national government and Hela Provincial Government must address what they claim has been an issue dragging on for far too long.
In a news conference this week in Port Moresby, landowners expressed concerns regarding the long delay and are curious about what the next action will be to be taken by the government.
“We want the government to explain and improve the current dialogue as government and landowners,” said Andy Hamaga, a PDL 1 landowner.
With a petition delivered to the Government and relevant stakeholders this Tuesday, the landowners are anxious for answers from the Government.
“We are fed-up and tied over government’s lack of interest in responding to our concerns,” said Peter Potabe, a landowner in the PDL 7 area.
Meanwhile, Koroba Kopiago MP, Philip Undialu, has left for Australia for discussions with financial organisations regarding the 4.27 percent equity share.
However, Komo Magarima MP, Francis Potape, says the move to travel to Australia is not right.
“It’s a decision for leaders, landowners, and Hela Provincial Government to sit down and discuss the way forward,” said Potape.
Landowners say if the government does not respond, a planned peaceful protest will be carried out at the LNG site next week.
This is the second alternate step taken by the landowners after a 30-day ultimatum previously elapsed.
