Gulf Province’s 14-day ultimatum to the National Government over the Papua LNG Development Forum expires tomorrow, August 11, with the Provincial Government warning that withdrawing its stakeholders from the process and returning home remains a “very real option”.
Acting Gulf Governor Hon. Morris Taudevin said that as of today, August 10, the Gulf Provincial Government had not received any formal written response from either Petroleum Minister Hon. Jimmy Maladina or the Managing Director of the National Petroleum Authority addressing the demands and concerns raised by the province.
The looming deadline potentially places the Papua LNG Development Forum process at a critical point, with Gulf maintaining that the interests of the host province, affected landowners and its various levels of government cannot be pushed aside in the rush to advance the multi-billion-kina project.
Governor Taudevin said Gulf stakeholders had consolidated their position over the weekend and that packing up and returning home with all Gulf stakeholders remained an option depending on whether the State responds and the substance of any response received.
The Provincial Government stressed that the ultimatum was not intended as a political gesture or an attempt to obstruct Papua LNG.
Rather, it said the 14-day period was provided in good faith to allow the National Government and its agencies sufficient opportunity to properly consider and formally respond to concerns raised by Gulf Province.
Gulf maintains its support for responsible resource development, including Papua LNG, but insists the project must proceed on the principles of fairness, transparency, meaningful participation, proper consultation and equitable benefit-sharing.
The province warned that major resource development could not simply become a race to meet deadlines imposed by the State or project proponents while the concerns of people whose land, waters, communities and livelihoods would be directly affected remained unresolved.
Since issuing the ultimatum, the Provincial Government has been consulting Local-Level Governments, District Development Authorities, wards, Papua LNG affected landowners, traditional landowners and other stakeholders throughout the province.
Governor Taudevin said Gulf would determine its next move collectively after assessing whether a formal State response had been received, the substantive issues raised by the province and the views of LLGs, DDAs, wards and Papua LNG affected landowners.
A further public statement is expected following the consultations.
“NO RESPONSE DOES NOT MEAN CONSENT”
In a strong warning ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, the Gulf Provincial Government declared that the absence of a written response from the State must not be interpreted as Gulf’s acceptance of the current process.
It said silence could neither be regarded as consent for the process to continue without addressing Gulf’s concerns nor as acquiescence by affected landowners and the people of Gulf Province.
Among the outstanding issues identified by Gulf are corrections and inclusions to the SMLI following proper verification; continuation of pre-forum consultations so stakeholders can prepare position papers; adequate welfare arrangements for Gulf stakeholders in Port Moresby; constructive dialogue with the Provincial Government and stakeholders throughout the Development Forum process; and the disbursement of promised funding for pre-forum consultations and Development Forum infrastructure preparations.
The province has also requested that due respect be given to its request for two weeks to mourn the passing of senior Gulf statesman and former Acting Deputy Governor Hon. Charles Maiu, MPA.
Governor Taudevin maintained that Gulf was not opposed to Papua LNG or development but would oppose any process that compromised the legitimate interests of the host province, its people and affected landowners in the name of urgency.
The Provincial Government said it remained ready to engage constructively with the National Government and National Petroleum Authority, but meaningful engagement had to be reciprocal.
With the deadline now only hours away, attention will turn to the Petroleum Ministry and National Petroleum Authority over whether a formal response will be delivered before the ultimatum expires.
The Gulf Provincial Government says it will then take stock of the situation and determine its next course of action together with its LLGs, DDAs, wards and affected landowners.
Governor Taudevin ended with a strong message to the State:
“We will listen. We will consult. We will stand together. And we will act collectively in the best interests of Gulf Province and its people. Our good nature should not be mistaken for weakness.”