A Wafi-Golpu project landowner group spokesperson has called on the two mining companies developing the project and the Mineral Resource Authority or MRA to consider waiting for a decision to be made by the courts over principal land ownership.
Yunu Clan Leader, Amos Darius says the joint venture company and MRA must wait for the court decision that directed the Special Land Titles Commission or LTC to find out the ownership of the land.
The Wafi-Golpu deposit is located about 65 kilometres south-west of Lae in the Morobe Province of PNG. The developers, which includes the government, have ownership shares calculated according to what is invested respectively at different phases in the project.
MRA, the government arm tasked to dialogue on customary landowner matters, are yet to comment on the matter.
The verification process will yield a Land Title and Registration certificate for legitimate customary landowners. This will enable land to be regarded as property for business activities as an Incorporated Land Group or ILG.
Identified groups stand to benefit from royalty streams, compensation and community development projects which focuses on skills development, local business opportunities, agribusiness, health and education.
