MADANG Governor, Ramsey Pariwa (pictured), has call on the national government to back date the Infrastructure Development Grants (IDGs) and Business Development Grants (BDGs) of the Ramu NiCo Project.
In a statement on Thursday, Governor Pariwa said Madang Province has not been receiving these grants in the recent years.
He said the government had the obligation to pay the Madang Provincial Government the respective IDGs and BDGs over the years but it has failed to do so.
“The last time I know Madang Provincial Government received its Ramu NiCo IDG and BDG was in 2011,” the Governor said.
“Since then, Madang has been missing out on its shares whilst other resource rich provinces have been enjoying the grants all these times.
“Ramu NiCo has been in operation all these times and yet Madang has never been benefiting from these grants,” he added.
Governor Pariwa said the Wafi-Golpu project has never produced an ounce of gold but Morobe Provincial Government has been receiving IDG funding.
Additionally, he said the Porgera Gold Mine was shut down for four years but Enga Province has been receiving its IDGs.
The Governor said Papua LNG is not even in operation as yet but Gulf Province is receiving IDGs.
He further stated that whilst Ramu NiCo has been in operation all these years and has been contributing to the economy and creating employment in the country, the Government has never recognized the people of Madang and given them their IDGs and BDGs.
“This is totally unfair for Madang Province as if it does not exist in this country,” Governor Pariwa said.
“l thank the Government for finally recognizing the people of Madang and allocated a total of K30 million Ramu NiCo IDG just for this year.
“I must plainly say that this is not enough; what about the missing years of IDGs and BDGs? It is still unfair.
“l now call on the Government to back date the Ramu NiCo IDGs and BDGs for the missing years since 2012 to 2023.
“The Government must also start paying IDGs and BDGs next year onwards until the Ramu NiCo project winds up.
“This is not only to make up for the unfair distribution of the grants over the years but also give priority to where it is rightfully due.”
