By Jack Lapauve Jr, EMTV – Port Moresby
A peaceful protest to the DPE office received no response as securities locked the gates and prohibited the disgruntled landowners to talk to officers.
The landowners, who are demanding answers said a Gulf PDL was paid K1.2 million in the same trust account responsible for the Gobe Oil Fields.
They say the payout is not an equity or claim, but is a down payment that is recognised in the signed agreement between resource owners, the State, and the developer.
The Gobe landowners said officers handling the process are incompetent.
Two weeks ago, their friends from Gulf received K1.2 million as consultancy payment. The money was dragged out from the same trust account all beneficiaries of the Gobe Oil Fields benefit from.
The landowners have come peacefully but say the next protest is unlikely.
They are demanding answers from DPE.
Meanwhile, DPE officers have denied the rumor of forcing landowners to sign a 30% payment for officers to process money owed to the Gobe landowners.
