Tomscoll defends Moran landowner recognition
The National, Copyright 2000
December 1, 2000
By BREMEBIL KUBLE
THE decision to recognise 12 Incorporated Landowner Groups of the Moran oil project has been made under Section Seven (69) of the Oil and Gas Act which gives the Petroleum and Energy Minister the power to make such a decision.
Petroleum and Energy Minister Tommy Tomscoll said this in reply to questions from Mendi MP and People's Progress Party leader, Michael Nali during question time in Parliament yesterday.
Mr Tomscoll said the decision was made after the application was made by the landowners and all concerned parties to the Moran project.
"As Minister, I had asked all intended parties to submit to me a report regarding two issues," he said.
"First the Fasu landowner issue and the Huli Moran landowner issue. Based on the findings, I used Section Seven (69) of the Oil and Gas Act which gives me the power to make the decision on the landowners."
For the Moran project, Mr Tomscoll said that based on Section 547, the then Minister gave a licence to the developer (Chevron) who later did the demarcation study and upon completion in 1997, it indicated which groups of people to recognise as genuine landowners.
Mr Tomscoll said the landowners are accounted for in 12 stock ILGs with the other 14 being sub clan ILGs.
"When recognising sub clans there will be double dipping. I will not recognsie sub clans," he said.
Mr Tomscoll said the Homo Paua Landowner Association with Pape Punga as chairman is the legitimate one.
He said the rest of the landowner issues were being discussed and the landowners themselves are to come up with solutions without inputs from outsiders.
Mr Tomscoll also replied to questions raised by Mr Nali on the awarding of contracts to landowner companies, saying the cost of the Moran project is US$195 million of which some requirements for contract works are high.
"I see no problem in this matter. If there is a problem it would be outside influences," he said when referring to giving contracts to landowner companies.
Mr Tomscoll said the Maka and Moran Landowner Investment companies have no capacity at the moment and capacity has to be built to be awarded major contracts.
Meanwhile, Homa Paua People's Association chairman Pape Punga said stakeholders of the Moran project (PDL5) will have to come together to resolve the issues.
Mr Punga said landowner issues have delayed the holding of the Moran Development Forum and the progress of the project for quite a while.
He said he was pleased with reappointment of Mr Tomscoll as Minister and the actions he had taken so far regarding the progress of the project.
Mr Punga said the 14 ILG are sub-clans of the 12 stock clans and have been accommodated under the 12 stock clans ILG constitutions and will be receiving certain percentages of compensation payable under the law.
A day trip to the Kutubu petroleum operation in Southern Highlands has provided an informative insight into the operations of a hydrocarbon project for staff from the State Solicitor's Office this week.
The trip came at the conclusion of a six-month institutional strengthening project for the State Solicitor's Office funded by AusAID.
Participants in the trip included acting State Solicitors Isikel Mesulam, George Minjihau and Kutt Paonga, assistant State Solicitors Daniel Rolpagarea, Kesi Lame (PLO contracts) and legal officers, Benedict
The visitors outside the Kutubu central processing facility.
Batata, David Manoka and John Palek.
They were accompanied by AusAID advisor, Tad Szwedzicki, and three legal secretaries, Mary Bulina, Kari Eunage and Pauline Inapi.
The group visited the central processing facility and the Agogo production facility.
Chevron staff provided an overview of the operations through a presentation.
The group also visited other mining projects in the country in the previous weeks.