The Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) Managing Director Jerry Garry, has assured the Porgera Mining Project Special Mining Lease (SML 13) landowners, that the resettlement of their villages away from the project SML area, is a Government’s priority.
The MD was addressing the parties and stakeholders of the Porgera Mining Project Community Development Agreement (CDA) in Port Moresby this week, where they (parties) are negotiating the CDA.
It is the responsibility of New Porgera Limited (NPL) to resettle SML landowners. It is understood that company is currently putting together a resettlement action plan.
However, Mr Garry said that as a responsible government, it has committed K700m infrastructure development funding for the exercise, through the Infrastructure Development Grant (IDG).
He told the landowners that the MRA and the Department of Lands & Physical Planning, have already started consultations with the Enga Provincial Government and the Porgera District Administration, and have identified possible resettlement sites.
“We won’t waste time,” said the MD. He said as soon as the CDA process is completed, the state would continue consultations with the stakeholders and progress the state’s part in the resettlement exercise which is to make land available.
He appealed to all parties to the CDA, to have an open mind, and to negotiate in the true spirit of sharing, fairness and equitable distribution of benefits.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress of the negotiations thus far.
The parties to the CDA are the Special Mining Lease (SML) landowners, Porgera Rural Local Level Government, Porgera Urban Local Level Government, Enga Provincial Government, New Porgera Limited (NPL) and the National Government. Non-SML landowners will be witnesses to the CDA when it is signed.
