Wafi-Golpu landowners and the Morobe Provincial Government received a K50 million Infrastructure Development Grant (IDG) cheque presentation on Friday, August 2nd from the National Government’s K1.2 billion commitment to IDGs and Business Development Grants (BDGs) for Wafi-Golpu landowners.
Prime Minister James Marape who presented the K50 million IDG said this is not ‘free money’, as the funds are intended for infrastructure projects in the six impacted areas and the province and urged Morobe Governor Luther Wenge to divide the money fairly between landowner groups and the provincial government.
Monies will only be released once identified infrastructure projects are agreed on, according to the prime minister.
Governor Wenge announced K25 million will be for the six landowner groups – Babuaf, Hengambu, Yanta, Wampar, Butibam, and Wagang – while K25 million would be allocated to the Morobe Provincial Government.
The presentation and announcement took place in Lae city, where Prime Minister Marape addressed landowners, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge, and a gathering of key figures, including Deputy Prime Minister and Lae MP John Rosso, State Negotiating Team Chairman Mr. Dairi Vele, Mineral Resources Authority Managing Director Mr. Jerry Garry, Kumul Mineral Holdings Chief Executive Officer Mr. Sarimu Kanu, Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management Secretary Mr. Harry Kore, and Morobe Provincial Administration.
Mr. Vele and Mr. Garry provided comprehensive updates to the landowners on the progress of the Wafi-Golpu Mine, followed by remarks from Governor Wenge, Prime Minister Marape, landowner representative Mr. John Nema, and Deputy Prime Minister Rosso.
Following Governor Wenge’s announcement, the Prime Minister urged them to agree on what projects are important to the project areas so that landowner companies participate.
“These projects are in the mountains (Babuaf, Hengambu, and Yanta), down to the valleys (Wampar), and to the sea (Butibam and Wagang),” said the Prime Minister, further stating, “I want all of you to agree on projects that you want to be funded so that monies can be released!”
“I want the landowner companies to build roads, classrooms, put up power lines to bring in power, and other development.”