PNG cabinet issue directive for outstanding agreements with landowners settled



Papua New Guinea’s Cabinet has issued instructions for all outstanding memorandum of agreement funds and commitments, owed to liquefied natural project landowners, to be settled, as soon as possible.

Papua New Guinea’s Cabinet has issued instructions for all outstanding memorandum of agreement funds and commitments, owed to liquefied natural project landowners, to be settled, as soon as possible. 

This includes Umbrella and Landowner Benefit Sharing Agreement funds, and remaining Business Development Grants. Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said in two weeks, Government will be able to pay these funds to genuine and recognized landowner companies. For Business Development Grants alone, around 120 million Kina is allocated annually, beginning last year. 

Cabinet has also directed that payment of these funds, will no longer be made in Port Moresby, but at the project sites. Meantime, Cabinet has been briefed following recent tensions and the temporary shut down of the Hides Conditioning plant in Southern Highlands Province. 

The plant closed earlier this week after tensions with locals over the death of a boy. Sir Michael has assured personnel that security is now being beefed up. He has stressed to Exxon, the future of PNG's economy, hinges on the project the country is committed to it. 

Meantime, Cabinet has appointed Deputy Prime Minister, Sam Abal, to be the front man for all outstanding issues, relating to the L-N-G project. And the National Planning Committee, of which Mr. Abal is Chairman, will be the vehicle for dealing with some of these issues. Sir Michael Somare following recent landowner unrest said it’s a bid to ensure dealing with these problems is more efficient. 

Abal, is now required to report to Cabinet on a regular basis, especially on landowner related issues. All ministers, departments and various committees involved in the project will now be coordinated and reported through the National Planning Committee process. 

Meanwhile, the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group is expected to open a new office in Papua New Guinea next week. The Organization's Executive Vice President and CEO Lars Thunell is expected in the country for the opening, as well as the signing of a certain agreement with the PNG Government next Wednesday. 
The IFC, since 2006, has been working in developing countries including PNG, to create opportunities in emerging markets and improve people's lives.

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From ABC Asia Pacific


Papua New Guinea's government says it will pay money owed to villagers affected by PNG's multi-billion US dollars Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project within two weeks.

It comes after landowners forced the shut- down of early construction work on a gas conditioning plant last week.

Disgruntled landowners claimed both the government and developer ExxonMobil failed to identify genuine landowners and that grant money was paid to the wrong people.

They had given the government seven days to correct the payments or risk facing the closure of the LNG project.

Early works on the project remains shut after Highland villagers attacked workmen last week, prompting the pull-out of 200 construction workers from a gas conditioning plant site.

Today the government responded, saying it would pay all outstanding funds and commitments to landowners within two weeks.

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare says the payments will be made at project sites, not in the capital Port Moresby.

Developer ExxonMobil has expressed satisfaction over the government's decision, but says it will not resume work until workers' safety can be guaranteed. 

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