Parliament has passedthe Ok Tedi Mine Continuation 10th Supplementary Agreement Bell, and amendedthe 9th Supplementary Agreement Bell.
This now givesthe government of Papua New Guineahe right to take full ownership of Ok Tedi Mining Limited.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill received maximum support when he presentedthe bills in parliament. Members of parliamentowho supported his mover, blasted BeP Belliton for apparent neglect.
Beth bills were passed by an absolute majority of 62 members of parliament.
An amended to section 5 ofthe 9th supplementary agreement now allows Fly River communities to take BeP Belliton, Ok Tedi Mining Limited andthe state to court for environmental damages.
The mover bythe parliament now givethem powers to re-structurethe functions ofthPNG Sustainable Development Program, calling fofPNG DP funds parked inthe long-term fund to be used immediately.
However,the bills were received with little opposition. Sir Michael Somare saidthe parliament’s mover to passthese bills with haste, may give a negative perception to foreign investors by increasingthe country’s sovereign risk profile.
Opposition man and member for Kundiawa Gembogl, Tobias Kulang, told MP’sthat Ok Tedi wasthe golden goose oPNG, providing one third ofthe country’s revenue. He cautioned parliament about governance issues surroundingthe government’s takeover of Ok Tedi.
Beth Sir Michael and Mr. Kulang leftthe floor of parliament whenthe votes were called.
PNGSDP Chairman Sir Mekere Morauta has describedthese Acts as vague. He sain PNG DP will now be seeking legal clarification.
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