Comments

Hi Vincent, thanks for your comment. Agree with you that CDA and MOA are the remaining opportunity to put in place a fund that will carry the landowners and Porgera-Paiela district's socio-economic future beyond the mine. PNG SDP had more than US1.547 billion (about K5.74 billion) in 2022. This will continue to grow and will fund key social and economic development projects/services for Western Province in perpetuity. It has strong governance mechanisms, including an independent board. This is the type of fund that needs to be established to support the landowners and the district when gold eventually runs out on the mountain in Porgera.

Hi TimA, thanks for your comment. I agree with your point on the importance of good and upright leadership on key agencies of the district, which must be recruited on merit for better management of public resources and mining proceeds.

Thanks Jacob for your feedback. Porgera-Paiela district surely needs visionary and upright leadership that would ensure strong administrative and governance mechanisms are in place to better administer mining benefits and other public resources of the district. Importantly, it (leadership) must be neutral and be able to work with ALL stakeholders. They must be recruited on merit as well.

I, John Kombuk from Jiwaka and President of Papua New Guinea Rural Development Inc Association would really thank you for vital information update addressing the issuing of the PNG government's fail policies. As The NGO (PNGRDI) taking holistic approach for untouching neglected remoteset people of PNG. They were missed out alot from PNG Government in basic goods and services since independence in 1975. Resulted with the boom of highly population, mostly dominate by youths involving with social violence and practice in their respective societies as per. It's become ongoing problems and issues arising in the societies and communities at large. PNG Rural development Inc Association is the source of information provider to your attention for partnership and request to step into these areas for more physical information will assess by yourself is what the concern.

For the yesteryears, Porgera SML landowners were the ones who dreamed of living in Cairns Australia and accused a man Like Kurubu Ipara for wasting funds on sustainable projects and programs in Porgera Valley. Kurubu Ipara was true leader, who was visionary, patient and courageous enough to change our world for better, but we failed. I think, all the major services Wabag District have now would have been ours. Why don't we just let Kurubu Ipara lead us for another round?

Is there any date for PEV form application? Please inform if any date is released. Thank you.

Thanks Stephen & totally agreed. Time to move beyond symptoms to addressing some of the underlying causes.

"A holistic response addressing some of the underlying drivers and the patterns of violence is more likely to make headway". So true and I think best handled by local expertise. Population pressure on arable land, lack of opportunity for school leavers, inability to earn money by legal means, widening inequality, poor health, education and infrastructure services in addition to the constabulary being "small in size and thin in numbers. In my opinion the opportunity to focus upon and invest in human capital development was been missed from the late 1980s and in a youthful population the situation continues to worsen. Petty crime that escalates into serious violence is more often than not driven by an overwhelming sense of frustration among youth (particularly young men) who believe they have been overlooked and short changed by the development process. And I believe they are right. Without income for bride price they find it hard to get married, earn respect, acquire land, repay extended families and honour forebears? Fighting offers one solution and an outlet for pent up frustration. Extra policing from any source will not solve these issues alone - it is not even a band aid solution. Better health, education, infrastructure and economic opportunity are part of the mix. These issues are regional and cannot be satisfactorily tackled from Port Moresby. Nobody living in an Engan "haus lain" gives two hoots about decisions made in Waigani. Solutions can be found locally to address local needs. One pathway is greater access to Australian and NZ fresh and value added food markets. That is needed now. Something with real economic heft at the population base: centred on provincial receiving and processing centres that inspect, grade and truck finished product to regional ports for shipment to Australia, NZ, Asia. (If USA/Aust are apparently committed to re-establishing a naval presence at Gamadoudou in Milne Bay province after 80 years, then why not a primary produce export hub as well?) PNG is unlikely to achieve any of this on its own. I am of the view that the stability of a demonstrably fragile state of ten or maybe fifteen million people is precariously poised to go the way of Haiti at least regionally, if we, the big Kahuna on the block do not get our act together.

when will the visa be available?

I come from the Highlands. I have been researching and following carbon literature over a number of years. The discussions here are educational. Let me add this: our vast rain forests are virgin. Apart from perhaps hunting, people have not touched these forests. In the coast yes, logging is a concern to preservations but where I hail its virgin forest. Yet, seeing cheats by middle people, am inclined to drop my work for my people. I am targeting infrastructure as the first component. After which monetary payments can be considered. Government has a duty to be on guard with all these I guess.

Plainly stating the challenges ahead. The Ok Tedi model is not working efficiently and effectively as well. I would propose a broad based economic development package tied to the CDA or MOA for the government and the company to fund. It should be independent from the mine so that it will continue to operate without any problem posting mining. Our strategic location is our advantage.

The commentary and the proposals are spot on, and unless well educated and industry experienced leadership are at the helm of those (named local institutions & others) to change the course of the Golden District's destiny, the predicted doomsday is eminent! It is not possible to expect a different outcome by the same people doing the same things done in the last 30 years.