THE Mineral Resource Development Company (MRDC) Limited has paid K3.76 million to PNG LNG pipeline landowners of Komo Magarima in Hela province.
The payments were done to the segment 1, 2 and 3 areas respectively.
MRDC acting upon its slogan “Custodians of Tomorrow” believes in raising the young generation for a better future made the announcement to the landowners on Saturday (July 7, 2021) at Beneria station in Komo Magarima district of Hela province.
The share of payment were deposited into 127 various bank accounts under 27 clans where the 700Km of PNGLNG pipeline passes through.
MRDC Managing Director Augustine Mano told the landowners at the event that they made the payment to allow services to reach the people.
“Service is an important thing, money will come and go. Therefore MRDC will look into building class rooms and hospitals,” said Mano.
He further said other 30 percent apart from the K3.76m paid to the land owner will be used to build class room and hospitals in the area.
Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua representing the Marape Basil government said he is pleased to visit the area and support the people and its local governments.
He further thanked the MRDC for making the payment and the event that united the local Beneria people.
“This occasion I want us to understand that it’s not just about money. This payment has huge meaning behind it. We must look after ourselves in our communities. The assistance from the government must reach the people. If the people are not settled properly the support and development won’t reach us,” said Kua.
He said there are other Papua New Guineans that do not have such opportunity, therefore he urged the people in the area to maintain peace and order going forward.
“The provincial government under Philip Undialu is doing a gun surrender program that will end next week. I asked all of you to support this program and restore permanent peace and not temporary,” said Kua.
Kua also added that his role is to promote petroleum and bring more money into the country and into the province and the districts.
He said the task is a challenging one for the government.
Therefore the landowners must use the money to better their lives and as much as possible educate the children that will run this country in the future.