A local citizen from Eratubu village on the west coast of Namatanai, stated that there is a need for careful consideration and consultation regarding deep sea mining in New Ireland Province. Mr. Tony Namur said the provincial government must prioritize the interests of its people and the environment and ensure that any development project benefits the province and its citizens. According to Mr. Namur, the province already has two world-class mines, therefore, has questioned as to why they need to venture into deep sea mining. He questioned the necessity of deep-sea mining, emphasizing that the province should focus on maximizing benefits from existing mining projects. “Why don't these foreigners explore in their own oceans rather than coming to New Ireland in the name of exploration?” Mr. Namur also highlighted the regional implications of deep-sea mining, stating the bodies of water are shared by the whole of the New Guinea Islands (NGI) region, so New Ireland is not the only authority to say yes to deep sea mining, but must also consider other relevant authorities in the province as well. He further expressed disappointment over the lack of transparency and consultation in previous mining ventures, citing the Nautilus Mining project. “The people of New Ireland were not informed of the costs and benefits of the previous venture by Nautilus Minerals Niugini Limited.” He further called on all leaders in the province to engage in proper consultation with stakeholders, especially non-government organizations (NGOs), regarding deep seabed mining. “We need to have a thorough discussion about the potential impacts of deep-sea mining on our environment and communities.” “Our Prime Minister James Marape has expressed concerns about deep sea mining, but the acting Governor of New Ireland Province is fully supporting it. This is contradictory and confusing.” “We should focus on developing our agriculture sector, which can provide food security and economic benefits for our people.” Furthermore, Mr. Namur called on the leaders to utilize the tax credit scheme to financially empower citizens of NIP. “We need to ensure that our people benefit from the tax credit scheme and have access to financial resources to develop their businesses and communities.” He also raised concerns about the potential environmental and health impacts of deep-sea mining, including accidents and spills, lack of offshore mining policy in Papua New Guinea, and the lack of robust evidence demonstrating the safety of seabed mining. “Why do we want more when we cannot manage what we already have on land?”