The landowners of Ok Tedi Mine have sought assistance fromthe Opposition in fightingthe decision made bythe government overthe transfer of Ok Tedi’s shares.
They saytheir have come tothe Opposition has it isthe alternate government and wanted legal advice on howthey can addressthe situationthey now face.
Elected representatives fromthe CMCA areas andthe mine affected villagers presentedthemselves to Opposition Leader, Belden Namah last Thursday.
Representtting 162 mine villages ofthe impacted communities alongthe Fly River corridor,the lLeaderssaidthe Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has ignoredthem when passingthe bill onthe transfer Ok Tedi Minershares.
Spokesman, Richard Zumoi saidthe government is yet to respond tothe two petitions presented before and afterthe bill was passed.
“Beforethe bill was passed, we wanted to stopthe bill by invitingthe Prime Minister. Onthe 2nd of August we presented our petition that we don’t wantthe arrangement he (O’Neill) made,” said Zumoi.
“We did anther letter again tothe Prime Minister afterthe bill was passed, but still we got no response,” he said.
Zumoi saidthey are seeking independent legal advice, but from whatthey have gtheredthey do not have legal standing becausethey do not legally ownthe mine.
However,they welcome any form of assistance fromthe Opposition even legal advice as to whtherthey have any legal grounds to challengethe decision in court.
Mr. Namah has responded promisingthem to taketheir views futher to his legal advisors.
The landowners have written tothe prime minister, demanding immediate transfer of 2. 5 percent shareholding plus any outstanding commitments of 2006 and 2007 CMCA review outcomes.
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