ORO Governor Gary Juffa has raised concerns about the delay in the lease application for the Mambare nickel project in Northern Province.
He raised the matter in Parliament today and questioned Mining Minister Rainbo Paita about the delay.
The proposed project is currently undergoing evaluation of its lease application by the Mining Advisory Council.
Governor Juffa said: “The Oro Nickel and Cobalt Project proposed is as big as other projects in like the Ramu Nickel Project. Why is there no clarification about the delay in the lease application?
“The people of Oro Province have been waiting for this project for a long time and have not been appreciated without even responding to our letters
“We are mandated by the people and the public servants who are not responsive to our letters should be sacked.”
Mining Minster Paita said: “I confirm that yes my department has not been responsive to simple letters received and so I will put on notice the people responsible.
“The NEC has met to address the questions you are raising now. In that special NEC meeting it was discussed that the recommendations put in place by the previous minister will be canceled.
“The size of the project is as big as the Ramu Nickel and so once we are done with the mining lease then landowners and the provincial government will come into play.
“In terms of the practical application, yes, the Oro Cobalt and Nickel Project was mentioned in a list of exploration projects, however, it has not been implemented as yet due to the reasons mentioned. “The Oro Governor will work with the other MPs to ensure that we pull this project through the normal process with the Mining Advisory Council.”