The National Government has committed K700 million towards the resettlement of the Special Mining Lease (SML 13) landowners affected by the Porgera Mining Project. The funds, allocated through the Infrastructure Development Grant (IDG), will support infrastructure development for the resettlement process. Managing Director of the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA), Jerry Garry assured that relocating the SML landowners is a top priority for the Government, when addressing stakeholders and landowners during ongoing Community Development Agreement (CDA) negotiations held in Port Moresby this week. Porgera Valley in the Enga Province is under a State of Emergency, with an imposed curfew and deployed police security personnel to maintain law and order and assist with peace mediation following at least five days of escalating unrest in the area. New Porgera Limited (NPL) is responsible for implementing the resettlement, and the company is currently preparing a resettlement action plan to ensure the smooth relocation of affected communities. Garry assured the landowners that the Government is fully committed to the process. "We won’t waste time," he said, noting that consultations between the MRA, the Department of Lands & Physical Planning, the Enga Provincial Government, and the Porgera District Administration have already begun. Potential resettlement sites have been identified, with further planning to commence after the CDA negotiations are finalized. The CDA is crucial for ensuring a fair distribution of benefits from the Porgera project, with Garry urging all parties to approach the talks with an open mind. "I appeal to all parties to negotiate in the true spirit of sharing, fairness, and equitable distribution of benefits." The CDA involves key players including SML landowners, Porgera Rural Local Level Government, Enga Provincial Government, NPL, and the National Government, with non-SML landowners serving as witnesses