ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE CONCERNS TAKE CENTRE STAGE IN PAPUA LNG DISCUSSION
BY CHARLIE DUMAVI
Landowners say that the damage caused by the operation of the PNG LNG in the environment not only in the Hela province but also in seas of Central province where the pipe end is evident
Therefore, they want a better environmentally friendly operation for the Papua LNG project.
A land owner from Kido village who owns the land where the PNG LNG and Papua LNG plant site is on at Napanapa, Allan Podi said their fishing grounds have been affected already with the operation of PNG LNG.
“My aim here is to highlight the downfall of PNG LNG project which, I hope that it would not be repeated in Papua LNG,” Podi said.
“Our concern to the pipeline is environmental impact. Its not only the land that we are concerned about it’s the ships that dock around our village. We are the land owners of the plant site. The ships continue to dock at our area before thy go and refill and that is concerning for us.
He said when the pipes are laid down the ships will there for the duration of the operation and that will really affect “our ecosystem especially our marine lives.”
“This is where our forefathers go and fish, its is our source of protein. This environmental impact should concern everyone,” Podi said.
He said the improvement from the PNG LNG project should be done “not only for an individual or a clan but for our children and grandchildren.”
Central provincial governor, Rufina Peter also stated Papua LNG project must be a mine operating inconsideration with the environmental laws
“The project should respect human rights protect the environment and maintain high standard of governance,” Peter said.
“These are not aspirations; they are constitutional responsibilities. PNG has committed itself to international recognized principals of responsible resource developments. Around the world the investors, government and financial institutions increasingly expect major project to respect human rights, protect the environment and maintain high standard of government.
“Our ambition should not only be for Papua LNG to become a successful economical project but one that is respected internationally fort the way its protects both the communities and the environment.”
