PNGSDP CANCELLED ALL EXISTING PROJECTS

Sir Mekere Morauta. Getty Images.

The PNG Sustainable Development Program has cancelled all its existing projects because it is no longer able to fund them.

PNSGDP Chairman Sir Mekere Morauta said the call by the government to stop future dividends going into PNGSDP from the Ok Tedi Mining Limited has caused this.

In a media conference yesterday, PNGSDP Board Chairman Sir Mekere Morauta said the company has been forced to discontinue Two Hundred and Fifty Million kina worth of social and economic development projects around the country.

One Hundred and Ninety Two Million kina is for the Western Province, while Fifty Two Million is for projects in various parts of the country.

Sir Mekere said he will write to the Prime Minister to take over the projects and include them in next year’s budget.

The dividends situation has a consequential effect on PNGSDP staff and contracts, but it will depend on whether or not the government takes over these projects.

The issue with dividends is currently in court with PNGSDP still pushing its agenda for the government to compensate the Fly River people.

Sir Mekere’s concerns are shared by groups under the Community Mine Continuation Agreement. The CMCA have given the government a 48 hour ultimatum to respond to the 63.4 per cent or they will close the mine.

Their concern is shared by former South Fly MP Parry Zeipi. Mr Zeipi said communities along the river system have not benefited equally from OTML nor the government.

Mr Zeipi was also critical of PNGSDP. He said the organization has not carried out any tangibly sustainable development in communities along the river system.

His criticisms were followed by a call on Sir Mekere to resign as Chairman of the PNGSDP board.

In the meantime, former South Fly MP Parry Zeipi said the government must respond to compensation calls by mine communities.

He said the matter has escalated so much so that there could be a backlash on the whole issue.

He called on the government not to let the suffering continue, but to address the matter before it gets out of hand at the local level.

EMTV