Monday, October 11, 2010

Principal plaintiff speaks out against Ramu Nico

By LOUIS MEDAING

I am the principal plaintiff in the legal proceedings that challenge the marine waste dumping plans by the Ramu Nickel mine in Madang. 
I instituted the legal proceedings on 24 September 2010 being WS1192 of 2010 to seek a permanent injunction to restrain Ramu Nico Management (MCC) Ltd from dumping five million tonnes of mine waste into Astrolabe bay annually, on behalf of myself and at this stage 38 members of the Tong and Ongeg clans from the Rai Coast.
A further 37 more clan members are seeking to join the proceedings this week.
Since the legal proceedings were filed in the National Court in Madang, my family and clan members have been put under intense pressure by the mine owners, Ramu Nico Management (MCC) Ltd to discontinue the court case.
The Tong and Ongeg clan members who make up the Plaintiffs and who are not employees of Ramu Nico Management (MCC) Ltd have been threatened that unless they withdraw or discontinue the proceedings, all Tong and Ongeg Clan members employed by Ramu Nico Management (MCC) Ltd will be sacked.
The Tong and Ongeg Clan members who make up the plaintiffs but who are also employees of Ramu Nico Management (MCC) Ltd have been individually told to sign documents which would withdraw them from the case, on threat of termination from employment.
Because of this intimidation, I have today filed an application in the National Court for punishment for contempt of court against Ramu Nico Management (MCC) Ltd and its employees Jacky Wang and Tonny Nongi as well as ward councillor Dongembu Dugai, particularly for assaulting , threatening and intimidating the members of the Tong and Ongeg Clans that make up the plaintiffs for the purpose of making the plaintiffs withdraw from or discontinue the proceedings.
I am informed by my lawyers that it is a serious offence to for a person or a company to take action to deter or obstruct a party from bringing or continuing legal proceedings as it is an interference with the administration of justice and constitutes Contempt of Court.

Louis Medaing
Plaintiff (on his behalf and on behalf of named members of the Tong and Ongeg Clans of the Rai Coast)

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous7:12 PM

    You fit mangi Rai Coast. Wantok, mi blong Morobe tasol mi hamamas long courage blong yu. Sanap strong na noken surik olsem ol girly girly pastaim yah, husait it poret na witdrowim case yah. This is your country and you have every right to speak up for your people and the people of PNG. What you are doing now is for the good of all future generation PNGeans, not only Rai Coast people. Although we are not with you physically, we are with you in spirit, and God will bless for the good that you do.

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