by Jack Lapauve Jr – EM TV, Port Moresby
The shutdown of Moran Gas Fields in Hela province yesterday comes after the state failed to effect resolutions in a stakeholder meeting held on April 22, 2015.
Chairman, Pape Punga, said government’s inconsistency in processing benefits and lack of consultation, has caused disruption to the project.
Chairman Punga says, the project is an agreement signed by all stakeholders and the government needs to sort out its differences.
Chairman Punga said six issues were petitioned and discussed by relevant state agencies, government departments and landowners, but again resolutions were not fulfilled.
“Nothing tangible was done by relevant stakeholders thus promoting the shutting down of the project,” Punga said.
Two key agendas of concern for these resource owners are the 45% Moran PDL2 Royalty benefits held in a Trust Account for the Huli Customary land owners, and the K35 million Moran MOA payments.
The landowners say, the developers are not to be blamed, and called on the Petroleum and Energy department to perform its duties.
Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, and senior government ministers have been notified of the situation; joint forces are monitoring the project site with no casualties reported so far.
The resource owners say, the Moran fields will remain closed if nothing is done.
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