By GEORGINA MICHAEL
Hiri-Koiari MP Keith Iduhu has raised concerns in Parliament over a petition made in the interest of plant site landowners and beneficiaries regarding the 13.5 percent share of Kroton Equity.
During question time today, Mr. Iduhu asked a series of questions without notice to Prime Minister Hon. James Marape seeking clarification on the National Executive Council’s consideration of landowners’ and beneficiaries’ specifically on NEC Decision No. 64 relating to the 13.5 percent in Kroton Equity, and the status of the independent valuation and audit.
Mr. Iduhu also asked if the Prime Minister would provide an undertaking to Parliament that no transfer of Kroton Equity and no final step to operationalize the interim board will be completed until the position of plant site landowners and Central Province beneficiaries are settled.
He further asked if the Prime Minister would direct that mandated beneficiary representatives and the Member for Hiri Koiari to be included in the structuring discussions.
In response, the Prime Minister confirmed that the transfer of Kroton Equity has not yet occurred and it’s a work in progress.
” The transfer has not yet been detached. Cabinet has already made this decision. It’s a work in progress, and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited, and the Minister for State Enterprises are carrying out this work,” Mr. Marape said.
The Prime Minister assured Central Province landowners, as well as those in other provinces, that the process will not be done in isolation. He said provincial governors and local leaders are being consulted.
“The leaders, as defined under the Organic Law on Provincial and Local-level Governments, are being consulted. In the first instance, those are provincial governors. We’ve had a first meeting,” he said.
Mr. Marape said the Central Provincial Government was represented by the Central Governor at the meeting and was told that Provincial Executive Councils must decide what is best for their province and write back to us.
“And so, this matter is now in the custody of the Central Provincial Government Executive Council and the Assembly to discuss the choice of wether to be part of a unified structure or to operate independently with no dilution in total stake as agreed in the Kokopo UBSA.
He urged the Hiri Koiari MP Keith Idhu to work with the Central Provincial Governor and indicate to NEC which path they choose to keep the stake in structure that earns perpetual wealth and that is sustainable in the long run noting that the task has been given back to the respective provinces.