MOROBE Governor Ginson Saonu has called on all the elected leaders in Morobe province to assist him fight against the Deep Sea Tailings Placement.
“I call on the Member for Huon Gulf and the Member for Bulolo in particular to take the front line in this challenge,” Saonu said.
“Our people are being affected with their future being compromised. As elected leaders, we are duty bound to fight for the safety and the livelihood of the people, not just the few that will enjoy the benefits.”
The governor also extended his call to all the Churches in Morobe regardless of which Christian denomination they belong, not to be idle but help support the fight against Deep Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP).
“Stand up for Justice. Stand up for what is right and fair and just. Stand up for your people.”
He said Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) Minister and WGJV have chosen to ignore all the environmental concerns of the people.
“This is reflected in the grant of the Environmental Permit, in which all of the ‘Red Flags’ raised by prominent PNG Biologist Professor Ralph Mana have been utterly and completely ignored, as if it did not matter.”
“It might not matter to the company or even to the Government of Papua New Guinea but when the permit proposes to pollute the waters of the Huon Gulf that is a matter of concern to the government of Morobe and its people,” Saonu said.
He said, “our concerns are not cantered on profit but our concerns arise from the fact that dumping of waste into the Huon Gulf will poison the fisheries; from which the livelihood of persons living from Siassi, Finschafen along the coast to Morobe Patrol Post will be profoundly affected.”
He said it is not a risk that these people are prepared to take lying down.
“Also, the dumping of the waste will bring another possibility of a repeat of the Basamuk experience and that has already been forecast.”
Saonu said as governor, he has done what he could and now it is up to the people to join together and fight this evil called DSTP.
Meanwhile, Governor Saonu said a public forum against the DSTP is expected to be held on Wednesday February 10, 2021 at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.