The Gulf Provincial Government has thrown the future of the Papua LNG Development Forum into uncertainty after issuing a dramatic 14-day ultimatum to the National Government, warning that it may withdraw from the process and pursue legal action unless longstanding grievances are urgently addressed.
In a strongly worded press statement released today, Acting Governor Hon. Morris Taudevin, MPA, said Gulf Province had reached the end of its patience after months of what he described as broken promises, poor coordination, exclusion from key decision-making and a failure by authorities to recognise the constitutional role of the host province.
The Provincial Government has formally demanded the immediate release of K30 million promised for Development Forum preparations, ministerial intervention to repair relations between the National Petroleum Authority and Gulf Province, a complete overhaul of the Development Forum coordination process, an explanation for repeated communication failures, and formal recognition of Gulf Province as the principal government representative of affected communities.
Mr Taudevin stressed that Gulf Province fully supports the Papua LNG Project and recognises its importance to the country’s economy, but said no nationally significant project could succeed while the host province was treated as an outsider.
He warned that if the National Government failed to respond satisfactorily within 14 days, Gulf Province would reconsider its continued participation in the Development Forum and reserve its right to pursue all available legal and constitutional remedies.
“This is not a decision we make lightly,” Mr Taudevin said.
“But neither can we continue to lend legitimacy to a process that consistently excludes the host Province, disregards our constitutional responsibilities and undermines the confidence of our people.”
The Acting Governor said the dispute was not political but centred on compliance with the law, good governance and administrative accountability under the Oil and Gas Act, which requires consultation between the National Government, Provincial Governments, Local-Level Governments, customary landowners and the project developer.
He also revealed that the Province had endured immense pressure throughout the process, including the recent loss of one of its senior leaders during the demanding Development Forum preparations.
Concluding his appeal, Mr Taudevin urged Petroleum Minister Hon. Jimmy Maladina to act decisively, honour commitments already made to Gulf Province and restore confidence in the Development Forum before the ultimatum expires.
With the countdown now underway, the Gulf Provincial Government says the next two weeks will determine whether the Papua LNG Project proceeds through genuine partnership or faces a major constitutional and legal confrontation with its host province.