Development and service will not reach the people despite funding support unless there is peace and harmony in the community to pave way for resources to be used to improve the lives of the people.
This was the direct message given by the Governor for Hela Province Philip Undialu to his people, when urging them to use the money given to them from the PNG LNG project wisely for their own benefit.
Undialu, who was at the ceremony held in Benaria in the Komo Magarima district yesterday for the royalty and dividend payment to segments 2 and 3 landowners of the PNGLNG Pipeline license No. 4(PL4) area, urged the people and the leaders of warring tribes to come together, make peace and work together to improve their livelihoods through improving things likes schools, health facilities, roads infrastructures, and get into business activities.
“I don’t want this money to be used to buy bullets and guns. This money is a blessing, so I want you to look at paying school fees and look at your needs,” said the governor.
Undialu said this because the area continues to see a lot of tribal conflicts with a lot of lives lost over the years, but now with this huge payment, he wants the people to change and work together for what is best for everyone.
Meanwhile, the total combined royalty and equity/dividend payment is about K3.76million. The Equity and dividend payment is for the period 2014 to 2016, while the royalty is for the period of 2014 to 2018.
These payments follow the completion of bank account opening for each benefitting clan with the support of the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), and the appointment of a director to the board of the landowner company, to pave way for payment of the benefits.
The Gas Resources PNGLNG Pipeline Limited Board, later announced the approval of the combined payment to be paid to project area landowners.
Of the total combined amount, 40% of total royalty and equity benefits is available to them. 30% is allocated for the Community Infrastructure Trust Fund (CITF) and another 30% is for Future Trust for investment purposes, which is a requirement of the Oil and Gas Act.
Dividends for subsequent years will be paid once the audit of the accounts are completed up to the last financial year. Royalties will also be paid once they are received from State. Segments 2 and 3 covers the Benaria and Homo-Paua regions and consists of 174 benefitting clans. These areas are part of the eight segment areas, which are PNG LNG project impacted areas.