The government is yet to make a statement on the position paper for the Gulf LNG Project.
The Prime Minister made this statement following questions raised by Gulf Governor, Havila Kavo, on the latest developments regarding Gulf LNG.
The Gulf Governor said his people have been left in the dark with the government making no response in the past six months.
Prime Minister O’Neill stood on behalf of the Petroleum and Energy Minister, Nixon Duban, stating that processes will be followed before the government makes its stance.
“The developer will be the first to decide, then the government,” said PM O’Neill.
Also queried by the Gulf Governor was the IDG payment for the Gulf pipeline landowners.
Governor Kavo requested for the release of the IDG funds following talks of PDL 1 and 7 in Hela receiving theirs this Friday.
However, the Prime Minister clarified that the payments are basically for project licenced areas and are for building of services specified in the project agreements.
“If Gulf has provided a positive acquittal for the past IDG payments, I find no excuse in paying the IDG funds for the pipeline landowners,” said the Prime Minister.
