PM signs Ramu nickel project accord
The National, Copyright 2000
November 20, 2000
By MELANIE VARI-TURIA
PRIME Minister Sir Mekere Morauta has signed the much-awaited Ramu Nickel Project Memorandum of Agreement and its addendum at Parliament on Friday.
Those present included Mining Minister Michael Laimo, Petroleum and Energy Minister Tommy Tomscoll, Foreign Affairs Minister Sir Michael Somare, Planning Minister Moi Avei and senior government officials.
Also present were acting Madang governor Pengau Nengo, provincial officials, local government representatives, Highlands Pacific managing director Ian Holzberger, his corporate affairs manager Andrew Yauieb and Orogen Minerals managing director Francis Kaupa.
The signing was preceded by a tense drama involving Madang Open MP Jacob Wama.
Even before the Prime Minister entered the room and put pen to paper, a heated argument erupted between Mr Wama and acting governor Mr Nengo and Sir Michael who has contributed a lot to the project since it was born.
Although preparations for the signing had started more than two years ago and involved landowners, provincial authorities, Department of Mining officials and the joint venture developers, Highlands Pacific and Orogen, Mr Wama accused those seated at the table of preparing the document in secrecy.
He also accused Mr Nengo of not presenting a copy of the MOA to the provincial assembly at which the latter diligently explained the situation.
Mr Wama's continuous mumbling and threats to walk out of the room and not witness the important occasion resulted in an angry Sir Michael turning to him and saying:
"I want this project to go ahead. Why don't you damn bloody go and sort out your internal political problems outside. Go go go."
The member, still mumbling, then walked out.
Sir Mekere then entered the room, missing the drama by a few minutes, and all the key players were then given an opportunity to speak.
The landowners pledged their support for the project while Mr Nengo asked the Prime Minister that priority be given to the people of Madang for all spin-off businesses from the project.
Mr Holzberger spoke on behalf of the developers and said that he was happy although he would have preferred that the agreement had been signed five weeks ago and in Madang because he believed that the project belonged to the people.
"We still have some permits to finalise with the State. We have 12 months to go after this ... before we start digging," he said.
Sir Mekere called the ceremony a celebration.
"The Memorandum of Agreement that is to be formalised by the State, the provincial government, the landowners and the developers is a binding agreement arrived at after long and detailed negotiations in the Ramu Development Forum," he said.