Opposition Leader Belden Namah has announced that he will join inthe fight to challenge Peter O’Neill’s decision to take over Ok Tedi Mining Limited without compensation.
The Opposition is backin PNG Sustainable Development Program to take legal action onthe matter.
Mr. Namah’saysthe 63.4 per cent shareholding held bPNG Sustainable Development Program rightfully belongs tothe people of Western Province andthe opposition stands ready to fight for the people.
Namah, in a media conference yesterday made his standing known aboutthe government’s takeover of Ok Tedi Shares without compensating landowners.
“Forthem to changethe law on Ok Tedi is one that bthers me. Whenthe law was changed, wasthere consultation withthe landowners?” said Namah.
PNGSDP holds 63.4 per cent shares of Ok Tedi Mining Limited.
The opposition is now questioning, whythe government is taking away what belongs tothe people.
“63.4 per cent of Ok Tedi Mine was owned bythe people of Western Province and nobody else. Why hasthe prime minister taken it fromthem? What has motivated him to do so? Why has he not paidthem anything for their shares? Why expropriate and nationalise a mine that was already owned by Papua New Guineas?” questioned Namah.
Namah’says this is part ofthe compensation for the environment damages caused bythe mine.
“The 63.4 per cent share was given tothe people of Western Province by BeP for environmental damage,” said Namah.
The opposition is now embarking on taking legal action againstthe prime minster for taking awaythe shares of OTML without compensation.
PNGSDP has recently announced its legal battle onthe same issue.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=txVfRrN7WTM%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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