THE ethnic Kinamaina and Aiduma tribes people of Chuave district thank the national Government for allocating K28 million for the final leg of feasibility studies for the proposed Simbu limestone project.
Tribal leaders and landowner groups representatives Stanley Koi and Jimmy Sineowai said everyone in Kiu, Gungras, Gogo and Monono villages were "very grateful to the O’Neill/Dion government for making available funding for the project."
Messers Koi and Sineowai said the tribes people have already moblished by forming landowner groups to participate in the lucrative lime project in their area.
They said the locals were excited and are awaiting eagerly for the project to begin operations next year.
The government through its Trade and Industry department has arranged for a Chinese company to develop the vast limestone deposits in the eastern part of Chimbu province.
Last month a high-powered delegation from the Simbu Provincial Government flew to China for dialouge with the prospective developer.
The details of the trip could be disclosed to the media at this point in time.
Economists forecast that the proposed lime project, deemed Chimbu’s first extractive industry, will change the economic landscape of the province and the country when operational.
The project’s life span is estimated at 150 years, according to government sources in Kundiawa.
The National Government’s funding (K28m) was announced by former treasury minister Don Pomb Polye before a huge crowd at Chuave station on February 9.
Last week Prime Minister Peter O’Neill told parliament that the promised funding would be released once the necessary documents are in order.
Mr O’Neill was responding to questions without notice from Chuave MP and vice minister for mining Wera Mori.
Tribal leaders and landowner groups representatives Stanley Koi and Jimmy Sineowai said everyone in Kiu, Gungras, Gogo and Monono villages were "very grateful to the O’Neill/Dion government for making available funding for the project."
Messers Koi and Sineowai said the tribes people have already moblished by forming landowner groups to participate in the lucrative lime project in their area.
They said the locals were excited and are awaiting eagerly for the project to begin operations next year.
The government through its Trade and Industry department has arranged for a Chinese company to develop the vast limestone deposits in the eastern part of Chimbu province.
Last month a high-powered delegation from the Simbu Provincial Government flew to China for dialouge with the prospective developer.
The details of the trip could be disclosed to the media at this point in time.
Economists forecast that the proposed lime project, deemed Chimbu’s first extractive industry, will change the economic landscape of the province and the country when operational.
The project’s life span is estimated at 150 years, according to government sources in Kundiawa.
The National Government’s funding (K28m) was announced by former treasury minister Don Pomb Polye before a huge crowd at Chuave station on February 9.
Last week Prime Minister Peter O’Neill told parliament that the promised funding would be released once the necessary documents are in order.
Mr O’Neill was responding to questions without notice from Chuave MP and vice minister for mining Wera Mori.