The Internal Demand Side of Oil & Gas Is Critical For Economic Development In PNG!

PNG has recently joined the few elite and prestige club of oil and gas producing countries in the world comprising of both developed ( US) and developing (South American & Arab Countries) as a significant producer of oil and gas and we as a nation should be proud of the achievement and classification of our country as such.
With the very first discovery, production and export of Kutubu and Gobe Oil and the very recent production and export of the multi-billion Kina LNG and two new LNG ( Papua and Elk & Antelope) Projects in the pipeline to be developed soon, PNG is held in high regard by both petroleum investors as well as consumers of oil and gas the world over, making it one of the best and viable hydrocarbon investment destinations in the world.
One determining factor that makes hydrocarbon investment and for that matter mineral investment in PNG more attractive is the legislative regime that governs these sectors which favors foreign investors more over the resources /landowners and the host government. While the resources are found on the country's soil and importantly the people's land, the bigger portion of the benefits of the development of these resources goes into the hands of these foreign investors who only come in with capital, skills and technology and secured markets.
PNG resources laws were carefully drafted by foreigners before independence to put the nation's resources into the hands of the foreigners and these legislations were never reviewed to revert resources ownership back into the hands of the landowners. If you dissect the legislation of mining, petroleum, forestry, fisheries and a few other natural resources laws, you'll be sick to the bones to realize that landowners who are owners of the land and sea upon which the resources are found are not regarded by the law as exclusive owners of these resources and therefore does not give them the authority to develop the resources.
The investors have become owners and suppliers of oil and gas while the government has become a rent seeker all along for the last 42 years of the country's journey as a nation. Government after government since independence have developed policies based on existing resources laws to support and protect the foreign interest in the resources sector at the expense of landowners and country's greater benefit. The government has been duped into supporting the supply side of gas only which gives in return only royalty and tax that has less impact on the economic development of the country.
The lack of development in the country despite massive investment and returns in the hydrocarbon sector only shows the inability of the government to focus on the internal demand side of oil and gas for other industries in the country to spur growth and development.
Two important considerations for the government when going into future oil and gas development negotiations are that:
(1) All energy/petroleum/gas needs of the country must be served by the development and use of these resources in the country before it is exported which will result in the low cost of energy for other industries in the country.
(2) What makes the engines and wheels of different industries move is oil and fuel and they can produce at a cheaper cost if oil and petrol inputs are sold at cheaper price from locally produced oil and gas.
I believe the impact cheaper locally produced oil and petroleum products will have on the industries and the economy will be phenomenal in bringing costs of goods and services down, spurring growth in investment and job creation, increasing cheaper export and increased government revenue.
The government should compare how much it is making from being a rent seeker in supporting the oil and gas suppliers (producers & investors ) with how much it can potentially make from supporting the demand side of oil and gas. I totally believe the latter would outdo the former overwhelmingly.
As the nation turns 43 years, the government should think anew on how best it can utilize its own resources to grow the economy in a more practical and beneficial way for PNG.

Comments

Post a Comment

Please free to leave comments.

Popular posts from this blog

HIGHLANDS FRAUD F*CKS RUNNING GOVERNMENT AGENCY,,,

Image
A Fraudster and unqualified person has been shortlisted for NEC submission for the position of CEPA Managing Director. The candidate in question is Jude Tukulyia. His academic credentials are subject to scrutiny. Further investigation is required to verify the authenticity and legitimacy of his qualifications, particularly the reported diploma in accounting, Bachelor of Laws, MBA from Divine Word and UPNG respectively. It is very suspicious and unprofessional  when the Minister for Environment Conservation and Climate Change, Hon Simo Kilepa, wrote to UPNG Vice Chancellor asking to confirm Jude’s questioned education qualifications. This very due diligence work is the core responsibility of the Public Service Commission and Department of Personnel Management. What authority does the portfolio minister have to write to the Universities? Dumbfounding indeed if one asks. Ulterior motives written all over the letter. This amounts to  Questionable Academic Qualifications of Mr Tukulyia.    
Read more

MARAPE & PAITA ABOUT TO SIGN AWAY PNG GOLD

Image
By: Andrew Arthur Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and his planning minister Reinbo Paita are the parties behind the theft of all Papua New Guinea’s gold for the next 100 years! They have given approval for the STATE of Papua New Guinea to sign away all gold rights to an Australian paper company in Refinery Holdings PTE LTD. First, they have done the deal with a paper company even before there is a LAW that says they have the right to do the deal. We see how the real manipulation works out. Marape and Paita now need to get the law passed by Parliament. The law is before the Parliament to set up Papua New Guinea’s first National Gold Corporation. The National Gold Corporation Bill first surfaced in 2012 but successive Government of Sir Michael Somare and Hon. Peter O’Neill, in their wisdom, had refused to pass this Bill as there have been some sinister motives and constitutional issues associated with the Bill. The new bill will allow Refinery Holdings LTD PTE to own 70% of the National
Read more

AUGUSTINE MANO PNG'S PREMIER CORPORATE CROOK

Image
by  MICHAEL J. PASSINGAN In a significant setback for Mineral Resources Development Corporation (MRDC), the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea has dismissed the company's appeal to stop criminal investigations into its dealings with landowner funds held in the Pacific Balance Fund (PBF). The court ruled that MRDC's appeal was an "abuse of process" and ordered the company to pay costs of the proceedings. MRDC, a unit holder in PBF, had taken legal action against the National Court's decision to dismiss its case, arguing that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter. However, the Supreme Court disagreed and held that MRDC's appeal was nothing more than an attempt to interfere with the police's criminal investigative process. The court found that MRDC had no authority to conducted its own investigation into the activities of the Melanesian Trustee Services Limited (MTSL), the fund manager of PBF, and that its actions were in violation of the Trust Deed
Read more

PNG, VERY RICH YET STILL A VERY VERY POOR COUNTRY

Image
by GARY MONDULAME Papua New Guinea (PNG), a nation blessed with abundant natural resources, continues to grapple with economic challenges that belie its potential wealth. The nation's economic narrative is a paradox—rich in resources yet burdened by poverty. The explanation for this paradox lies not only in economic mismanagement but also in deep-seated corruption that has permeated the political landscape since independence in 1975. Following its independence from Australia, PNG was entrusted to leaders who lacked a vision for a holistic national development. This absence of foresight is evident from the lack of long-term development plans that could have distributed the country’s wealth fairly across all regions and communities. Successive governments failed to establish foundational strategies such as building satellite townships or creating robust rural housing schemes. Instead, they resorted to short-term, reactive measures that did not foster sustainable growth. The nascent l
Read more

James Marape: A Complex Political Trajectory

Image
Early Years and Education James Marape was born on April 24, 1971, in Tari, Hela Province (formerly part of Southern Highlands Province), Papua New Guinea. His educational journey took him through Minj Primary School and Kabiufa Adventist Secondary School in the PNG highlands. He later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Papua New Guinea in 1993 and obtained a postgraduate Honours Degree in Environmental Science in 2000 ¹. Ministerial Roles Marape's political career has been marked by significant ministerial roles: 1. Minister of Education (2008–2011):  During this period, he contributed to shaping education policies and programs in Papua New Guinea.  His tenure focused on improving access to quality education for all citizens. 2. Minister of Finance (2012–2019):    - Marape's time as Finance Minister was notable for its duration.    - However, it became infamous when he resigned, alleging corruption within the O'Neill government.    - His resign
Read more

James Marape's Missteps Openly Exposed at Australian Forum

Image
by  MICHAEL J. PASSINGAN  In a recent event that highlighted the complexities of international diplomacy and governance, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, James Marape, faced a challenging situation during his appearance at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Australia. The Lowy Institute, known for its role as an independent think tank focusing on international policy, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, provided a platform for a candid assessment of Marape's governance. Following his formal address, Marape engaged in a dialogue with Dr. Michael Fullilove AM, the Executive Director of the Institute. Dr. Fullilove, a respected figure in public and international policy, scrutinized Marape's past promises and statements, contrasting them with the current state of affairs in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The discussion took a critical turn as Dr. Fullilove revisited Marape's 2019 speech at the same venue, where Marape had outlined his vision for PNG in a speech titled “A New Boo
Read more

A Call for Local Ownership and Fairness

Image
by JUSTIN PARKER In recent discussions surrounding the establishment of a gold refinery in Papua New Guinea (PNG), concerns have been raised regarding various aspects of the proposed project. Spearheaded by foreign investors, the initiative has sparked debates over ownership, exclusivity, tax concessions, underwriting, management rights, control over currency, legal protections, and historical failures. These concerns, if unaddressed, could potentially undermine the interests of PNG and its people, particularly the hardworking alluvial miners who form the backbone of the nation's mining sector. At the heart of the issue lies the question of ownership. The proposed ownership structure, favoring foreign investors with a substantial 70% stake, raises eyebrows, especially considering PNG's past experiences with failed ventures like seabed mining. Instead of ceding majority control to foreign entities, many argue that PNG should assert full ownership over the refinery. With the coun
Read more