Member for Bulolo and Leader of United Labour Party Sam Basil Jnr is calling on the Government to spend money were it is needed the most while connecting roads to the Project areas instead of overlooking them.
He said, while everyone is proud to say that PNG has over 100 years of mining history but from the goldfields of Bulolo to the alluvial mines throughout Wau Waria and Bulolo Districts in the Morobe province, the socio economic and political indicators show under development and regression.
“We read about busiest airports and banks and post office, to dredging mines, theatres, library and recreational halls to golf and bowling clubs but these has vanished with the Government policies that affect business and sustainable development in the impact areas.”
The Mining MOA has so many reference to education and training, first right of employment and business spinoff, future generation funds and scholarships, environment protection and community projects and social economic infrastructure for the people.
Learning from the Hidden Valley Mining MOA that specifically mentions the maintenance of Bulolo, Wau-Menyamya Highway and so many infrastructure and socio economic projects that are hardly been funded out of the National Budget, the Bulolo DDA in the past and now is very protective on the Wafi Golpu Mining Project.
“The Wafi Golpu Mine is said to operate for 40 years but ore reserves can take the mine to 100 years and we cannot just sign MOA and consent covering 2 or 3 generations for short term gains.”
Basil Jnr said, “On 12th March 2024, I wrote to Minister for Mining reaffirming communication to the Prime Minister and my concerns as per Questions in Parliament on both Hidden Valley Mine and the proposed Wafi Golpu Mine.”
He stated that the Marape Rosso Government is repeating the mistake of spending K100 million Infrastructure Grant related to Wafi Golpu Project in 2023 and again in 2024 that has no consideration for the District Administration and the Bulolo DDA that has oversight of service delivery in the Project areas and impacted LLG and District.
“We appreciate the distribution of K1 million to all LLG in Morobe but DDA request is to build roads to the Project area, improve and build their schools and health centres and community halls and police station and barracks and connect electricity as well as public servants housing is overlooked.”
“It is disheartening to know that the National Government undermines the established service delivery mechanism and is spreading K100 million around Morobe when half could have been invested in the host District.”