Polye calls on PM O'Neill , his Economic Ministers to visit agrieved Gas Landowners

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his key economic ministers are being urged to travel to the LNG project site in Hela for talks with the aggrieved landowners.

Upon learning the government plans to use police and army, Opposition Leader Don Pomb Polye made the call.

“The insensitive Prime Minister, Finance Minister James Marape, Planning Minister Charles Abel and Treasury Minister Pruaitch must not use the disciplined forces to contain the situation.
“Their engagement will not solve any problem. It will exacerbate the situation,” said Mr Polye.
He said shutdown of the Hide gas plant by angry landowners over delay in LNG project related funds reflected the government’s incompetency.
“I call on the Prime Minister and his key economic ministers to deal with landowner issues honestly and justly.
“When I was in government, I handled their grievances with care and prudence.
“Hence, I avoided shutdowns,” he said.