Deputy Opposition Leader, Sam Basil has urged the National Government including state agencies to fully consult Provincial and Local Governments, and the community when dealing with land, natural resources extraction and economic opportunities.
He has thrown his supported behind Governor Kelly Naru’s refusal to attend the signing ceremony of the Halisgeng Tuna Project in Morobe Province because he was not given prior notice.
The Provincial Government must be briefed on what is happening before it can commit itself, added Mr Basil.
Mr Basil stressed, in most cases, projects are designed and executed at the top but when it comes to law and order, land owner disputes or other related issues, the local MP, Local and Provincial Government are the first line of fire.
Basil stated that whilst Morobe welcomes investment, our local people have become mere spectators and often fight amongst themselves. We must reverse that trend in Morobe Province and in PNG.
