By Julie Badui Owa – EMTV News, Lae
Morobe Governor, Ginson Saonu said the mining agreement of the Wafi Golpu project should be signed in August before the APEC meeting, in November this year.
He said this yesterday (July 11) during the official opening of the Wafi Golpu Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum in Lae.
According to Mr Saonu, the Wafi Golpu project will revive the country’s national economy once construction starts and exports begin.
Governor Saonu said that the province must be fairly rewarded for the contributions made to the country’s national income. He said the province contributes almost a billion kina towards the country’s revenue.
The Governor said Wafi Golpu mine must ensure that all parties including the Government, the mine developers and the landowners be given equal shares.
Wafi Golpu is an underground Gold and Copper mine and is one of the sixteen mines existing in PNG.
“Past challenging experiences from other extinct mines in the country will be considered before the MoA is signed.” Governor Saonu said
He said the MoA will also include the residency of mining contractors be within the province and no fly-in-fly-out arrangements.
Plans are now underway for Morobe Provincial Government to proceed with the signing of the MoA under the guidance of the constitution.
