THE people in the golden valley of Porgera demand immediate reopening of the Porgera Mine as they have been denied spin of business opportunities and decent income from the mine.
“Mipela laik lukim simuk long haus” (We want to see smoke in the house). For many, what that simply means is to reopen the mine. That is the general feeling echoed in the valley when The PNG Bulletin spoke to youths, business groups and the general public. Many have one way or another have been impacted by the closure of the mine. However, with the new framework agreement signed between the State and Barrick Niugini Limited which will be launched today at Paiam station by Prime Minister James Marape, it has come as a sigh of relief for them. Let’s hear some of their stories.
A local hire bus driver Wanpis Sigip, part Kandep and Porgera has this to say:
Porgera Women in Business Association with 2,700 memberships is being affected as well. President Elizabeth Lape Iarume shares her views:
A female youth also has this to say:
Strickland River Zone Two dweller, Joe Kapuana who sews clothes for a living at the Porgera Market shares his thoughts:
Furthermore, the only Paiam District Hospital with a small staff ceiling that caters for most of the Porgera valley population and nearby districts relies heavily on Barrick for funding. The hospital’s Acting Medical Superintendent and General Surgeon Dr Jerry Hoga:
[…] Porgera people want to see “smoke” in the house […]
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