By Adelaide Sirox Kari – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Resource owners of the main water supply that also generates power for the nation’s capital, are calling on the Government to respond to a petition presented to them in March, this year.
The five landowner areas consisting of Sirinumu, Sogeri Central, Hogeri, Rouna and Behori, are petitioning the government regarding a non-payment of K40 million as part of a sustainable and benefit sharing package, that was allocated by the government for the affected areas.
The frustration was quite clear amongst Koiari Landowners who had gathered to air their views.
The petition from the Koiari Resource Landowner Working Committee details the benefits that had been not given over 5 generations.
This includes resettlement payments during the building of Sirinumu dam by PNG Power, an outstanding payment of K40million, and lack of government services in the area.
Most don’t have access to water or electricity.
