Unsolved issues forced people to act, say leaders

By PATRICK TALU

 

THE shutting down of the Hides 4 LNG plant site is the culmination of unattended and outstanding issues relating to the liquefied natural gas project between the landowners, project operator ExxonMobil, the state and contractors, landowner representatives said yesterday, The National reports.

Andy Hamaga, Erick Hawai, Erick Haroli, John Galoma and Chris Payabe, representing various well heads and block companies from PDL1 and PDL7 said the shutdown, initiated by the relatives of a boy who had died, was not the only reason for landowner dissatisfaction.

The leaders said the death of the boy, and the hospitalisation of two others, occurred at a time when the situation on the ground was volatile due to a build-up of discontentment and anger over the government’s inability to honour its various commitments and other outstanding issues.

Hamaga outlined the issues as:

• Outstanding memorandum of agreement commitments;
• Business development grants as per the UBSA and LBSA set formula;
• State to tell the landowners on the progress on the substitute of MRDC and EIC;
• Release of the infrastructural grants;
• Addressing the resettlement issue;
• ILGs before UBSA and LBSA; and
• On-site issues as per the LBBSA.

“The range of issues has accumulated over time and the sudden death of the child has added fuel to the fire and the consequence is the site closure,” Hamaga said.

“We want to clarify to the stakeholders of the PNG LNG project, and the people of PNG, that there are multiple reasons that need answers from both, the developer and the state, to ensure the smooth running of the project,” he added.

“When commitments are made, we do not do it for the sake of doing it or to serve the interest of one party,” Hawai said.

They called on state ministers, developer and the landowners to convene a high-level meeting comprising all parties to iron out all issues so that the project could go ahead without any more delays.

 

 

Hides bid failed

Government delegation returns with LNG plant still shut

 

By PATRICK TALU

 

A GOVERNMENT delegation to the Hides 4 liquefied natural gas (LNG) conditioning plant site was told to return to Port Moresby because it comprised the wrong ministers, The National reports.

While PNG LNG project operator ExxonMobil confirmed yesterday that the site would remain shut, landowners told delegation leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Don Polye and Education Minister James Marabe that they wanted ministers who they had outstanding issues with to meet with the people.

Polye and Marape were told by landowners that they were the wrong persons to go and negotiate or find facts surrounding the cause of the LNG plant site shutdown and other related issues.

Erick Ayule, spokesperson and chairman of Girira Hides 4 Joint Venture, the umbrella company of Hides 4 PDL7, told The National that the landowners expected to see Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru, State Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare, Komo-Margarima MP and Transport Minister Francis Potape, Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma, National Planning Minister Paul Tiensten, Treasurer Peter O’Neill and Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.

He said the aggrieved landowners wanted to see these senior ministers who were at the forefront from day one in negotiating the multi-billion-kina LNG project.

He said although the landowners appreciated Polye and Marape for making their time available as per the prime minister’s directives, the two ministers would have no clue on the issues between the landowners, state and ExxonMobil.

“How much does Polye know about the landowners’ issue with the state and ExxonMobil?” Ayule said.

“What role did Polye and Marape play when the state team negotiated for the PNG LNG project with the resources owners?

“It is a mockery for Sir Michael to send two carpenters to an automobile workshop,” the chairman added.

Ayule said the landowners had petitioned the government through Polye to send Agiru, Potape, Somare, Tiensten, Duma and O’Neill along with:

• Their outstanding memorandum of agreement funds;
• Ministerial commitments funds;
• Infrastructure development grants;
• Their outstanding K6 million for PDL7 to be paid into their six block companies; and
• Their K1 million each commitment made by Agiru for landowner chiefs from PDL7 at the UBSA and LBBSA.

“We have given them 10 days to fulfil their promises.

“We have willingly agreed to give our gas to the state and ExxonMobil, thinking that they would honour their commitments.

“We have been told lies with undue promises just to lure us to sign off our resources.

“The LNG plant site will remain close until and unless these outstanding issues are addressed once and for all,” Ayue said.

ExxonMobil also confirmed yesterday that the plant site would remain shut while work at other project locations were progressing as they were not impacted.

 

 

An Australia Day message from the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea

Australian High Commissioner to PNG Ian Kemish

The 26th of January is Australia’s national day and a day of celebration for all Australians, including those living, working and travelling overseas. Australia Day allows us to pause and celebrate the achievements, experiences and values that we share as Australians.
We are proud of Australia’s democracy, our diversity and generosity, our vibrant cultural life, our indigenous cultures and our open mindedness.
As Australia’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, I am also very proud of Australia’s relationship with this country.
The relationship with Papua New Guinea is, by any measure, one of our most important and one of our most valued.
It is a relationship between two proudly independent countries, who share the same values and many of the same traditions.
The relationship is enduring and broad.
It is also, in many cases, mine included, deeply personal.
It is also a dynamic relationship which is evolving and changing. Australia welcomes this wholeheartedly.
We are pleased at the promising economic future which beckons for this country and will, where it is sought, provide whatever assistance we can to ensure Papua New Guinea realises its ambitions.
I would like to wish all Australians a happy Australia Day for 2011.
In doing so, we should remember the dreadful hardships so many of our fellow Australians are bearing in Queensland.
The floods have been devastating. My thoughts and sympathies, and those of my colleagues here in the High Commission, are very much with them.
I would also like to acknowledge the extraordinary generosity of the Government of Papua New Guinea and of so many Papua New Guineans in making donations to the Queensland Premier’s Flood Appeal. ]
As it was with the Victorian bushfires, Papua New Guinea’s readiness to come to the assistance of Australians in their time of need is deeply appreciated.
It will not be forgotten.
Finally, I would also like to reaffirm to all Papua New Guineans my commitment and that of the Australia Government to working closely with you in 2011 towards an even deeper and more productive bilateral relationship.

Brisbane will raise the flag on Australia Day, vows Premier

Premier Anna Bligh has vowed that Brisbane will hold its traditional Australia Day flag raising ceremony this year in defiance of the devastation caused by the Brisbane floods. Ms Bligh made her pledge after changes were made to the annual Australia Day celebrations because of the damage caused to the South Bank Parklands.
"We not going to let these floods ruin our national day and I am determined to have our flag raised on our nation day as a symbol of the resilience of Queenslanders," said the Premier.
"The planned South Bank celebrations will not be able to go ahead but we will be holding the traditional Flag Raising Ceremony at an alternative venue and the details for that will be released in the coming days.
"The free AusSounds Australia Day Concert will also proceed and will be relocated to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
"The concert will provide an opportunity for the community to come together after the terrible test we have been through.
"Communities around Queensland are also planning to host more than 130 regional Australia Day events, many of them raising funds for flood affected families and businesses.
"It is important that we keep our spirits up in the aftermath of these floods and we will recognise Australia day with as much passion and pride as we always have."
The Premier added that she wanted to encourage Australians to hold backyard barbeques and collect money for the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal.
"What could be more Australian than having a barbeque and doing your bit to help less fortunate people in your State?" said Ms Bligh.
The AusSounds Australia Day Concert will feature local bands Charlie Mayfair and Ball Park Music and Australia's first Idol and multi-platinum artist Guy Sebastian.
Tickets are free but bookings are essential. Bookings can be made at http://www.ticketek.com.au/.
There will also be an opportunity to donate to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal at the event.
The annual Australia Day Lunch will proceed as planned at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday Jan 25 featuring Richie Benaud, David Fordham and Troy Cassar-Daley.
The Australia Day Ambassadors Program, proudly sponsored by Woolworths, will also proceed with ambassadors travelling to various locations across Queensland.
Communities around Queensland are also still planning to host more than 130 regional Australia Day events, many of them raising funds for flood affected families and businesses.
Visit australiaday.org.au/whatson/qld  or facebook.com/australiadayqueensland  for more information about changes to Australia Day events inQueensland.
Australia Day activities in Queensland are proudly supported by the Queensland Government and assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.

Fun in the rain

Children and young men at the Tokarara suburb in National Capital District took to the streets yesterday to enjoy the afternoon downpour as umbrellas went up in other parts all over the capital city, The National reports.
However, not all was fun as strong winds warning was issued for neighbouring Central and Milne Bay waters since last weekend due to tropical Cyclone Anthony, currently hitting west of New Caledonia.
The weather office said while the strong winds will subside, the wet conditions will continue for a few more days. – Nationalpic by AURI EVA

Papua New Guinea eyes full stake in sea floor mining

Solwara One site in the Bismarck Sea which Nautilus Mineral will mine

THE government will take its full 30% stake in the venture – worth more than US$100 million – that it hopes will be the first in the world to lead to mining of the sea floor, Mining Minister John Pundari said last Friday, The National reports.
Confirming the government’s recent granting of a mining licence to Canadian company, Nautilus Minerals, for a 59km2 section of the Bismarck Sea, at depths of about 1,600m, Pundari said the state had negotiated to purchase the full equity participation.
The Solwara1 site, as it is known, is off the coast of New Ireland and about 50km north of Rabaul.
He told Radio Australia the state’s 30% share would cost about US$103 million and would be bought over a three-four year period.
“We are looking at investing about US$27 million in the first year.
“We will also be acquiring an interest in the new technology.
“Our patent interest will be about 30% again and we are looking at purchasing 5% in the first year and the balance in the subsequent years.”
Nautilus also has sea floor exploration leases in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and New Zealand.
It hopes to begin its commercial gold and copper operation in PNG by 2014.
Pundari also told the radio network that PNG would take a stake in the patents for Nautilus’s new mining technology.
“We will also be acquiring an interest in the new technology.
“Our patent interest will be about 30% again and we are looking at purchasing 5% in the first year and the balance in the subsequent years.
Asked where the government would get the finance from for its stake in the Naulius project, Pundari said the government was looking at nominating Petromin to carry the states interests.
He added that Petromin had access to the necessary finance and would be able to sign an agreement with Nautilus within the next 30 days.
The mining planned at the Solwarra 1 site in the Bismark Sea will be no small operation.
The gold and copper is found in high concentrations in massive sulphide deposits on the sea floor in 1,600mof water.
Each year, 1.3 million tonnes of ore will be cut from the seafloor and pumped to the surface in seawater slurry.
There, it will be dewatered before being moved onshore for processing.
Nautilus says it is well-advanced with the technology needed to mine the seafloor.

Election office warns against early campaign

ASPIRING politicians campaigning early is illegal, the PNG Electoral Commission said yesterday, The National reports.

The commission said although a candidate could make public his intentions to contest next year, it was illegal for that person to pay, solicit, treat or procure (provide food, drinks or lodging) with the aim of influencing voters.

The general elections would be held in June next year with 18 months remaining. Writs would be issued a month earlier.

The commission advised in a media statement that any persons aggrieved by the conduct of MPs or intending candidates and their political parties could complain to the police regarding any allegations of bribery, treating and undue influence.

The commission said those aggrieved persons do not have to wait until after the elections to file a court petition.

It advised that in court, allegations of such illegal practices would not hold ground.

The commission would soon publish a full listing of all illegal practices in an election.

Meanwhile, there was still doubt on the use of the proposed electronic voting system next year because no funding was allocated for it in this year’s budget.

The commission needed K12 million to use electronic voting.