THE Wafi-Golpu project in Morobe province that was guaranteed to get off the ground soon as projected by Prime Minister James Marape is now in limbo.
This follows Morobe Provincial Government’s decision to reject the granting of Deep Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP) of the mine thus, the legal action it intends to take against the State on the matter.
In a statement recently, governor Ginsan Saonu said after having taken advice and upon consultation with relevant community and church leaders of the province, the provincial government feels compelled to once again take the State to Court over the granting of Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture (WGJV), the Environmental Permit to dump its waste into the Huon Gulf.
“Our position was to say yes to Wafi-Golpu but not to DSTP, and that position remains unchanged,” governor Saonu said.
The governor further announced that he has already instructed the provincial government’s lawyers to commence legal proceedings without delay against the DSTP.
Mr Saonu said, “we are convinced that the scientific evidence that points to poisonous and destructive waste being dumped as ‘red flagged’ in the reviews organised by CEPA, are the correct findings and that would be one of the grounds which the court challenge will be based on.”
“The fact is that CEPA and WGJV are simply ignoring these red flags, instead of exploring them in a professional manner as urged during the consultative workshops.
“This is a testimony to their joint reckless disregard to the genuine concerns of the people who live along the coast and who utilize the Huon Gulf Marine Resources,” governor Saonu explained.
“We are fed up with a government that will not listen to the concerns of the people regarding the environment.
“Equally, we are fed up with foreign companies that pay lip service to so-called meaningful consultations with the people, but who will ignore pertinent scientific evidence that point to DSTP as destructive to the rich fisheries resources in Huon Gulf,” Saonu reiterated.
The governor said the provincial government is also fed up with companies that put profit first and deny the peaceful and harmonious environmental concerns of the people.
“We will challenge the legality of the construction of the pipeline outside the SML, to dump rubbish into the Huon Gulf. We are prepared to take the matter internationally if forced to do so.”
As a mandated leader for people of Morobe, Saonu is calling on every Morobean, in all corners of Morobe to join him in fighting against Deep Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP).
This follows Morobe Provincial Government’s decision to reject the granting of Deep Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP) of the mine thus, the legal action it intends to take against the State on the matter.
In a statement recently, governor Saonu said after having taken advice and upon consultation with relevant community and church leaders of the province, the provincial government feels compelled to once again take the State to Court over the granting of Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture (WGJV), the Environmental Permit to dump its waste into the Huon Gulf.
“Our position was to say yes to Wafi-Golpu but not to DSTP, and that position remains unchanged,” governor Saonu said.
The governor further announced that he has already instructed the provincial government’s lawyers to commence legal proceedings without delay against the DSTP.
Mr Saonu said, “we are convinced that the scientific evidence that points to poisonous and destructive waste being dumped as ‘red flagged’ in the reviews organised by CEPA, are the correct findings and that would be one of the grounds which the court challenge will be based on.”
“The fact is that CEPA and WGJV are simply ignoring these red flags, instead of exploring them in a professional manner as urged during the consultative workshops.
“This is a testimony to their joint reckless disregard to the genuine concerns of the people who live along the coast and who utilize the Huon Gulf Marine Resources,” governor Saonu explained.
“We are fed up with a government that will not listen to the concerns of the people regarding the environment.
“Equally, we are fed up with foreign companies that pay lip service to so-called meaningful consultations with the people, but who will ignore pertinent scientific evidence that point to DSTP as destructive to the rich fisheries resources in Huon Gulf,” Saonu reiterated.
The governor said the provincial government is also fed up with companies that put profit first and deny the peaceful and harmonious environmental concerns of the people.
“We will challenge the legality of the construction of the pipeline outside the SML, to dump rubbish into the Huon Gulf. We are prepared to take the matter internationally if forced to do so.”
As a mandated leader for people of Morobe, Saonu is calling on every Morobean, in all corners of Morobe to join him in fighting against Deep Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP).