Re: ONLY VILLAGE CONMEN, WAIGANI THIEVES & FOREIGN INVESTORS WANT THESE MINES, LNG PROJECT

Perhaps to discuss constructively, why dont you tell me what sort of expectation you expect the resource project to bring?? Are you looking at physical change? Social and economic improvement of the people? As I have stated previously, there are other factors not related to the project that will develop a project site and these require holistic approaches from government and the stakeholders. From land reform to law and order and more importantly, for the people to have the freedom to invest in trade that is not reliant on the demands of the project.

What I have noted is that because these arrangements are not in the project site, the investments are made in established commercial hubs such as Port Moresby, Lae and other provincial capitals. These investments are not only for business ventures but also in social services.

What is positive however is that there is capital still available to develop this vision. Investments in the landcos are in the positive and therefore we need to encourage investment back into the provinces. But like I said, this has to be a holistic approach and landcos will indeed play a major part in these reinvestments.

You also were critical on lessons been learnt and the fact that no progress has been made. Well the regulatory features of natural resources underwent major reforms in the 1990s. Almost all government entities managing natural resources were corporatized and new legislation was formed. In instilling corporate governance tools, many government and political appointees in theory were done away. From the 1992 Forestry Act (1992), Mining Act (1992) and the Oil and Gas Act as well.

For the larger sectors such as the oil, gas and mining, the formulation of MRDC was by far the most intelligent thing to do. A custodian of landowner royalties, the incubation of capacity building, knowledge transfer and instilling commercial relations brought many of our people into the trading world. 10 years on, these landcos are growing in strength both in human and capital resources. It hasnt been as coordinated for forestry, fisheries and agriculture and that I do acknowledge.

These landcos are now investing into other service sectors not mining related. Banking, financing, real estate and many others. Theyre people are getting educated to manage these investments and all the while, they are shifting their people to embrace the changes of their lifestyles.
Im the first to admit that this sort of change I am speaking of isnt apparent. The project site looks dirty, people are poor and basic services are not present. But the fact that our people are taking charge of commercial ventures and expanding their horizons based on lessons been learnt by the previous generation, there is always hope they will bring the wealth back to their people.

Lets face it, the developers will not do it because they are interested in money. Governments are competing for resources, private sector are fussy and stingy about where to invest, NGOs are at best misguided by some of their interests. The church as much as it tries to impose its influence on the people are also restricted in resources. So its left to the landcos to go back and invest. Some have already begun to do this and as they go back, I have no doubt we will see an emergence of growth. PNGs greatest asset is its people and it always has been. We are not a liability and as our people become savy in the world around them, they will bring change. So lets help them realize this.