Enga Accounting, Investor Confidence Impact and Landowner Interests Key Issues for Porgera23/11/2020
The four (4) Enga Members of Parliament, namely Hon Sir John Pundari (Kompiam Ambum), Hon Rimbink Pato (Wapenamanda), Hon Alfred Manase (Kandep) and Hon Tomait Kapili (Lagaip-Porgera) in their response to the Hon Prime Minister James Marape’s statements of 23rd November 2020 and other commentators on social media are as follows. “We the four (4) leaders from Enga Province are deeply concerned with the closure of an operating mine without any practical alternative for continued mine operations and without proper consideration on any basis for the best interests of the mine-lease landowners, Engans and Papua New Guinea as a nation, especially without due regard to Barrick’s substantial investment (equity, good will and intellectual property). The damage to business confidence for Barrick and other investors has already been done. Entering into discussions to restart Porgera will not be effective if so many hardline stances are taken. Barrick needs reassurances and so do other investors currently operating in our country on the position of the Government. That is why Barrick stopped production at Porgera resulting in loss of substantial revenue to Government, loss of 3500 jobs, loss of income to contractors and subcontractors which has had an adverse impact on family livelihoods throughout Papua New Guinea that were dependent on incomes from Porgera mine continuing to operate. Prime Minister James Marape is beating his chest with nationalistic demands rather than finding a win-win solution for all stakeholders. As we have stated, other corporations operating in PNG and those considering investing in projects in the country will be watching and will be worried that they will be next to have their reasonable agreements entered into with Government crucified for political ends based upon extreme nationalism. We, the four (4) MPs want more than just big words and a blind appeal to nationalism which has led to thousands of taxpayers being forced out of work, caused businesses to be imperiled and safe investment reputation to be severely damaged. We, the leaders now require proper accounting of all monies that have been paid to the Enga Provincial Government (EPG) over the last 30 years of Porgera’s operations so that the returns to the Peoples of the Districts represented by the EPG, i.e Lagaip-Porgera, Kandep, Wabag, Kompiam-Ambum and Wapenamanda, because there has been no such accounting done for Engan people’s such monies in the past. In addition we require equitable distribution of increased equity and royalties to the Porgera mine-lease landowners and the 5 Districts of the Enga Province and exclude the EPG from same. EPG has over the last 30 years received all benefits including royalties on behalf of the Engan people. Furthermore, we the four (4) leaders were never properly consulted over the decision whether or not to extend the Porgera mine lease to Barrick and its consequential impacts of its non-renewal.” Authorised for immediate release by Hon Sir John Pundari MP, Hon Rimbink Pato MP, Hon Alfred Manase MP and Hon Tomait Kapili MP. Next : Update On Court Hearing Of The Election Of James Marape As Prime Minister Comments are closed.
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