NAWAEB Open MP Theo Pelgen has reaffirmed the Government’s full commitment to the development of the Sankwep Limestone Project during a meeting in Lae on 26th June.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including Mr Pelgen, Nawaeb District Administrator Buds Botikec, and executives from Bungamba (Sankwep) Investments Limited—the tenement holder of EL2625 and lead proponent of the project.
Mr Pelgen, who is also the chairman of the Nawaeb District Development Authority (NDDA) described the Sankwep Limestone Project as “a strategic and high-impact socio-economic venture” that had the potential to transform Nawaeb District and Morobe Province, and elevating them to international recognition.
He praised the initiative of the local company, Bungamba (Sankwep) Investments Limited, for progressing regulatory compliance and exploration work since 2018.
In recognition of their efforts, Mr Pelgen presented a K50,000 cheque to support the company’s administrative operations and directed the drafting of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to ensure long-term government support was secured.
He added that while the Government would provide 100% support, it would not seek equity in the project to encourage local entrepreneurship and landowner participation.
“I am satisfied with the transparency and progress made by Bungamba (Sankwep) Investments Limited. This project not only provides opportunities for economic growth, but also ensures local ownership and equity—a first of its kind in Morobe Province,” Mr Pelgen said.
The company’s managing director, Masam Som, and exploration manager, Robin Philip, provided a technical overview showing the presence of high-quality limestone suitable for industrial quicklime production—a product with an import value of K1 billion annually for the mining sector alone.
Bungamba (Sankwep) Investments also presented a formal Project Implementation Proposal (PIP) to Mr Pelgen and expressed appreciation with traditional gifts, symbolizing a strengthened public-private partnership for sustainable development.
Meanwhile, Nawaeb District also endorsed a K23 million drilling and organisational capacity building program, which will be submitted for funding under the National Government’s MTDP IV 2023–2027.
The project is situated in Gobadik Village, Ward 10, Nabak LLG and is supported by landowner groups from surrounding villages.
Environmental assessments and landowner engagement strategies are outlined in the project’s Sankwep Limestone Development Road Map, presented during the meeting.
The landowners through their Investment company must take full ownership of this long outstanding project promised to come into stream by late Timothy Bonga which never had much backing from him while being Member for Nawaeb.
Similar deals/arrangments made by the National Government with Panguna landowners and their Automous Region of Bougainville must prevail with our people in Nawaeb District.
They (Nawaeb) must be given financial autonomy to keep most of the money earned from this project in the District to improve the well being of it’s people.
We have seen much misuse of government funds and over more than 10 years you hardly see the Provincial Budgets being put in good use in service delivery. These services have been badly affected and is continuing in that direction.
Olgeta pipol husat stap long giraun blo sankweb imas strongim na sapotim dispela project long kamap.
Thank you Nawaeb MP lo yu wok klostu wantaim landowner campani [ Bungamba Investment Limited ] na mipela amamas long gutpela lidasip blo yu.
Thank yu BUNGAMBA INVESMENT LIMITED lo yu wok strong na kamap long dispela mak..
God Bless..
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