By Louisah Frank – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Porebada village is one of the four landowner villages of the Liquefied Natural Gas project, at the Napanapa site, in the National Capital District, however; village authorities feel they have not received benefits from the project.
They say the project is already in its second phase, however life at the village remains the same as it was before the project.
Since the establishment of the LNG site at Napanapa, there has been little done to benefit the people of Porebada.
To this day, there is little development in the area and landowners claim royalty payments have not been paid.
Jerry Taumaku, Special Purpose Authority Director for Porebada, said landowners in the area have not been identified yet.
According to the village authorities, the project contractor Esso Highlands provided employment for the locals however, it was only short term.
These individuals are now back in the village as they cannot get employment with the kind of training that was facilitated.
Villagers feel their rights to move to the neighbouring villages have been taken away from them because of restrictions put by the LNG project authorities.
The villagers have to go out in the rough sea to visit friends and family in villages like Kido and Manumanu.
Mr. Taumaku claimed he was elected as the Special Purpose Authority Director for Porebada however; he has not been sworn in to this day.
Taumaku is calling on the government leaders to work together to serve and protect the best interest of the people of this nation.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=g2vC4yjfJZ4%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
