Post Courier BY JEFFREY ELAPA
THE State and developer of the PNG LNG Project,
ExxonMobil, have failed landowners by not honouring the UBSA and LBSA
agreements resulting in the closure of a gas plant in Hides, Hela
Province.
Chief landowners from PDL One and Seven, led by Hides
PDL Seven landowner umbrella association chairman, Chris Payabe, said
the agreement signed by the parties are binding agreements but the
ExxonMobil and the State failed miserably to honour the commitments. Mr
Payabe said the 14-day ultimatum petition given by landowners has been
extended by another seven days for a definite response to the
landowners’ petitions.
He said the extension of the seven days will lapse on
Monday next week, and the landowners want favourable response or they
will shut the plant completely.
The other landowner leaders who signed the petition
are Andy Hamaga, Gini Kupiako, Tom Marago, John Kaloma, Ikipe Alembo,
Robert Angoya, Erick Hewaie and the landowner clan chiefs. He said among
some of the agreement under the Kokopo Umbrella Benefit Sharing
Agreement and the Hides Landowners Benefit sharing agreements, the first
benefit should come to the landowners in term of royalties and equities
by this year after the first gas shipment and export, this did not
eventuate. Mr Payabe said it is an injustice to the landowners and they
wanted the written petition to be honoured immediately by the seven-day
notice or the project will be shut down.
He said the statement by ExxonMobil on one of the
dailies was misleading as landowners are not aware of any benefits or
projects delivered in the project areas.
“We want ExxonMobil to come out clear on the media
and list all the projects and the benefits as per the UBSA and LBSAs. We
have not seen any project or have not received any benefits under the
agreements. We are confused and want a full report to be published in
print media,” chairman Payabe said.
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