The Member for Kikori and Minister for Provincial and Local-Level Government Affairs, Soroi Marepo Eoe, has called for villages outside the Papua LNG pipeline corridor to be included as beneficiaries of the multi-billion-kina gas project.
Minister Eoe met on Tuesday, 21 January, with executives of the Purari Development Authority (PDA) and leaders of the Iaee Tribe from Baimuru Local-Level Government (LLG) in Gulf Province, to discuss concerns surrounding the Papua LNG Social Mapping study.
The meeting marked the start of a wider consultation process aimed at ensuring that tribes in Baimuru and Ihu LLGs, which were excluded from the social mapping exercise, are not left out of benefit-sharing arrangements ahead of the upcoming Papua LNG Development Forum.
Minister Eoe, an anthropologist and former Director of the National Museum and Art Gallery, shared historical insights highlighting the common ancestry of the tribes in question. He said all nine tribes of Baimuru, including those from East and West Ihu LLGs and East Kikori, trace their origins to Purari, giving them legitimate cultural and historical claims to benefit from the project.
He expressed serious concern that current government and petroleum laws have contributed to the erosion of cultural identity and heritage.
Minister Eoe supported statements by PDA representative Mr Roy Evara Jnr, who reaffirmed the authority’s position as the collective voice of the nine Baimuru tribes.
“We are fighting to preserve the identity of our people that has been taken away by the oil and gas laws,” Mr Evara said.
The Minister pledged his full support to the PDA and other advocacy groups to ensure the recognition and inclusion of all nine tribes as beneficiaries of the Papua LNG Project. He also provided K10,000 in logistical assistance to enable tribal leaders to return to their electorates and prepare for further consultations.
Minister Eoe informed the leaders of recent amendments to Section 90 of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local-Level Government, which now allow Open Members of Parliament to actively participate in development negotiations affecting their districts.
He is expected to travel to Ihu and Baimuru next week to meet directly with tribal leaders and community members excluded from the social mapping exercise.
Their views will be consolidated into a position paper to be presented at the Papua LNG Development Forum.
According to historical records, the tribes concerned originated from Upper Purari, and continued exclusion, Minister Eoe warned, poses a serious threat to cultural identity, heritage, and social cohesion.
The Purari Development Authority has consistently advocated for the inclusion of all nine Baimuru tribes and met with the Minister to collaborate on a unified position.
Minister Eoe said the meeting allowed leaders to raise important issues regarding shared heritage and identity.
“I assured them that their voices will be heard. We will work together to develop a strong position paper to present at the Papua LNG Development Forum, advocating for their rightful inclusion and recognition,” he said.
He also dismissed claims circulating on social media that consultations had been limited, noting that he had met with Koriki and Kaimare tribal leaders during a visit to Baimuru LLG between 13 and 19 December 2025, while inspecting progress on major development projects.
Minister Eoe confirmed he would return to the area next week for further consultations.