Photo Credit: Newcrest Mining
Prime Minister James Marape has stated that the Wafi-Golpu mine project's long-term development forum will begin next month.
He made the statement during a visit to Bulolo's Mumeng local government to inaugurate a number of initiatives.
“The Wafi-Golpu development forum will be staged next month,” Marape said.
“If there is anyone with issues regarding this, then there is no need to prolong (the forum).
“We all (stakeholders) need to sit down together, discuss and find a way to address any issue on that arises.
“The K100 million development fund is in the budget and available but landowners will not get the money if the development forum is not held.”
He asked all parties involved in the mine's development, including the province and district governments, landowners, and the developer, to work together to guarantee the forum takes place.
The proposed mine is located in the area, according to Deputy Prime Minister and local MP Sam Basil, and the district should be prepared in terms of capacity-building prior to the mine's development.
With the mining and the projected changes, he said the district should focus on capacity building.
Landowners from the project area will come to Port Moresby to meet with the Prime Minister, according to Basil.
The landowners were looking forward to the development forum. The news has been praised by representatives of the three landowner associations - Hengambu Landowner Association, Yanta Development Association, and Babuaf Development Corporation.
Reference:
Kari, Janet. Post-Courier (22 June 2021). “Wafi-Golpu Development Forum To Start In July.”
