Madang Governor, Peter Yama, says there are no set up of an environmental committee compromising of representatives from Conservation Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), Mineral Resources Authority (MRA), provincial government and landowners of Ramu Nickel Mining areas.
Yama says the committee was supposed to have been established in 2000 after the signing of an MOA by the parties.
The MOA which was signed back in 2000 was to monitor the environmental issues in and around the mining areas of Basamuk.
The Madang Governor stated that the committee was supposed to meet four times a year and deliberate on the environmental issues provided by MCC’s quarterly updates. He added that the company should have submitted its quarterly reports on environmental issues to the committee since 2000.
However, without an environmental committee the Madang Provincial Government has not received any reports.
“In fact since 2000, the committee should have now met about 76 times, and MCC should now be submitting its update reports concerning the environment 76 times – CEPA, MRA and MCC has failed miserably the people of Madang, and indeed Papua New Guinea.”
Yama said the investigation and findings by Swiss Scientist, Dr Alex Mojon, are consistent with an investigation that was carried out by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG.
The ELCPNG in late 2000 had commissioned the Mineral Policy institute to commence an independent analysis because of concerns with the environmental effects of tailings and waste disposal.
“The findings are consistent with Dr Mojon…” Yama stated.
The Madang Provincial Government is focusing on making sure the people of Madang and their environment are protected.
The provincial government wants to work with CEPA, MRA, the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and the company to protect the people and the environment.
Continuing investigations, four Swiss Scientists have arrived in the country today and will travel to Madang to carry out further studies into the environmental damage that may have been caused by the spillage.
Madang Governor, Peter Yama is inviting a team from CEPA, MRA, NFA including the health department to accompany the scientists to Basamuk and other parts of Madang. Yama says the scientists will carry out further investigations to find out whether the marine life has been contaminated.
By Martha Louis – EMTV News, Madang
