Mr Samar was responding to a petition by a group who claimed to be Lands Title Commission (LTC) declared landowners of Basamuk who petitioned the State and the developer over business opportunities, compensation, environment damages and other issues.
The vice president of Ramu NiCo (MCC), Wang Baowen also attended the meeting.
In one of their petitions, the group claimed that a portion of land which was previously used as the accommodation camp during the construction phase is currently being developed without their consent.
This was after Ramu NiCo had moved its workers accommodation to a new location adjacent to Yaganon river.
However, MCC community affairs general manager, Martin Paining clarified to the people that, that particular portion concerned is still within lease for mining purpose (LMP), and there was no specific agreement signed previously that after the construction, the land would return to the traditional landowners.
One of the landowners argued that initially the then previous developer, Highlands Pacific Limited (HPL) had planned to build a school and a sporting field on that portion of land.
However, locals have witnessed new accommodation quarters being built and also a fuel refueling station being erected within that portion of land.
Mr Samar in supporting Mr Paining pointed out that Ramu NiCo had the license to operate and so long as they have the lease they can do anything on the land.
He said under the LMP which had been transferred from HPL to MCC, the current developer the license is still valid and the developer can do any development of that portion of land.
“There was no agreement which states that after the construction phase, the land goes back to the traditional landowners.”
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