The Gulf Provincial Government (GPG) has issued a final 14-day ultimatum to the National Government, demanding the implementation of 13 conditions tied to the Papua LNG Tier 1 outcome and an additional K100 million to settle outstanding obligations.
Failure to meet these demands will result in the province withdrawing from Tiers 2 to 5 of the Papua LNG Development Forum process.
The stance follows mounting unpaid bills across five hotels that have accommodated landowner representatives over the past five months during Tier 1 negotiations. Service providers are threatening to evict the landowners, with reports that some representatives have already had their meals cut.
Acting Governor of Gulf Province, Hon. Morris Taudevin, called on the Prime Minister, the Minister for Petroleum, and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to treat the matter with urgency.
“Of particular concern is the increasingly difficult situation facing Gulf landowners’ representatives who have travelled to participate in the Papua LNG processes,” Mr. Taudevin said. “These representatives are enduring constant threats of eviction from their accommodation, while some have had their meals and basic welfare provisions withdrawn. Such treatment is disgraceful and unacceptable.”
He stressed that the representatives are customary landowners whose resources underpin one of Papua New Guinea’s most significant economic developments.
“It is unconscionable that people expected to participate in a nationally significant project should be left worrying about where their next meal will come from or whether they will be forced out of their accommodation,” he added.
The GPG is demanding an additional K100 million to cover administrative and logistical commitments, landowner welfare, and unresolved matters stemming from the Tier 1 process.
“This funding must be supported by a transparent implementation and accountability framework, developed in consultation with the GPG, as funds disbursed so far have not had any meaningful effect,” Mr. Taudevin stated. “While the GPG recognizes the importance of the project to the national economy, national interests cannot be pursued by disregarding provincial interests, customary landowner rights, and commitments made during the development processes.”
Gulf Provincial Media Advisor Benny Malaisa confirmed the province’s resolve to pull out of the next stages of the forum if the deadline passes without action.
“The position is clear: Gulf Province has made a declaration of withdrawal from Tiers 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Papua LNG Development Forum process until the National Government demonstrates, through concrete and written commitments, that the outstanding conditions and obligations are met,” Mr. Malaisa said.
He noted that the 13 conditions were central to securing the province's acceptance of the Tier 1 outcome and were never meant to be temporary political concessions that could be ignored once the State achieved its goal.
Mr. Taudevin also warned against last-minute delays, stating that the province will no longer accept eleventh-hour political interventions.
“This time around, no eleventh-hour political intervention, emergency meeting, last-minute delegation, or verbal undertaking will change the course of action once the 14-day ultimatum expires,” he said. “Any engagement must take place within the 14-day period and must produce tangible, documented, and implementable outcomes.”