Govt studying Ramu deal, signing delayed
Post-Courier (PNG), Copyright 2000
November 14, 2000
THE Prime Minister’s office will not set a date for the final signing of the agreement for the Ramu nickel and cobalt project until they get the clearance from the State Solicitors office.
Sir Fred Reiher, an advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office, said a date would be set only after all checks and necessary changes were made to the agreement.He said yesterday that the amendments were being looked over by the legal authority.
Sir Fred also cleared the air on the Prime Minister’s availability for the signing if Parliament was sitting and the Prime Minister would be available for the signing. He said the Prime Minister’s availability for the final signing was not the problem for the delay, and should not be a problem.
“The new addition is attached to the initial agreement is part of the agreement,’’ Sir Fred said.
“The legal correctness of the attachment has to be checked before we can be advised. The Prime Minister’s office will then set a date for the signing. “The Department of Mining and the company are all waiting for that and until all is clear, no date will be set for the signing.”
The signing of the agreement for Ramu was deferred by 14 days from October 12, when differences between the Madang Provincial Government and some local governments arose.
The agreement sets out the commitments each party would bring to the project.
Meanwhile, acting Madang Governor Pengau Nengo said the provincial government had kept its side of 14 days from October 12 to sort out its problems.
Mr Nengo said the nation looked at the provincial government’s stalling on signing the agreement as unjustifiable, but it what the provincial government did was more responsible. “I am the custodian of my people of Madang and I have to be 100 per cent sure that what I am signing has the least flaws as possible,’’ Mr Nengo said.
“I am their leader and I am responsible as their last filtering process between exploitation and progressive benefits.
“All parties must be responsible towards their respective responsibilities, as I, for the people and the interests of Madang Province. “Madang is ready for the project but will ensure that all the necessary undertakings are adhere to and fulfilled to the interest and well-being of the province and the nation as a whole.”
Mr Nengo said the last advice he received for the signing was for November 7, which coincided with the Provincial Assembly meeting.
He said the provincial assembly was set for today to cater for the signing.