THE Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture (WGJV) in Papua New Guinea should now be allowed to negotiate its terms according to the legislated process with the State negotiating team, National Planning and Monitoring Minister Sam Basil says.
Basil, who welcomed the National Court decision to dismiss judicial review proceedings between Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu and the State relating to the Wafi-Golpu project memorandum of understanding (MoU) said the people would be the losers if the negotiations continued to face obstacles.
He said the State’s ability to create employment and raise much-needed internal revenue was no longer compromised.
“The final questions to the National Court by the lawyers representing Saonu and the Morobe government would have continued to delay the commencement of the State negotiations and the legislated forums that seek to achieve consensus, among each of the stakeholders in the proposed Wafi-Golpu mine,” he said.
Basil said foreign exchange and cash-flow relief were possible if the Government planned future extractive projects in tandem with each other.
“Macroeconomic solutions are available within PNG, but this requires us all as decision-makers to serve the national interest,” he said.
Basil, the MP for Bulolo which hosts the proposed multi-billion kina gold and copper mine, said he was encouraged that Mining Minister Johnson Tuke had directed the urgent resumption of development forum talks.
“It was disheartening to witness the hijacking of a major impact project due to claims processed through the courts that conveyed very vague legal assumptions and arguments.
“But now, we can assure the people of Morobe and PNG that the Government is intent on getting the best deal for PNG through consultation and consensus-building.”
The National /Pacific Mining watch
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Basil, who welcomed the National Court decision to dismiss judicial review proceedings between Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu and the State relating to the Wafi-Golpu project memorandum of understanding (MoU) said the people would be the losers if the negotiations continued to face obstacles.
“The final questions to the National Court by the lawyers representing Saonu and the Morobe government would have continued to delay the commencement of the State negotiations and the legislated forums that seek to achieve consensus, among each of the stakeholders in the proposed Wafi-Golpu mine,” he said.
Basil said foreign exchange and cash-flow relief were possible if the Government planned future extractive projects in tandem with each other.
“Macroeconomic solutions are available within PNG, but this requires us all as decision-makers to serve the national interest,” he said.
Basil, the MP for Bulolo which hosts the proposed multi-billion kina gold and copper mine, said he was encouraged that Mining Minister Johnson Tuke had directed the urgent resumption of development forum talks.
“It was disheartening to witness the hijacking of a major impact project due to claims processed through the courts that conveyed very vague legal assumptions and arguments.
“But now, we can assure the people of Morobe and PNG that the Government is intent on getting the best deal for PNG through consultation and consensus-building.”
The National /Pacific Mining watch
Next :