‘No pipeline policy’ a fallacy: Haiveta

Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta says the no pipeline policy propagated by a pressure group is a fallacy.

The Governor has reaffirmed his position on the Papua LNG Project, saying it is economical for the planned pipeline to go ahead.

He has called on the group to take up their concerns with their elected leaders and not by pressuring them, which he says will not work.

He said his position on the project is for the economic benefit of the entire Gulf Province and not just the project impacted areas.

“The no pipeline policy of the last (provincial) government is basically a fallacy. Never forget when the economics of a project are right, the beneficiaries, also include the landowners, the provincial government and the LLGs, and the National Government, the benefits that will come back are a lot more,” he said.

“But how do we get there is the issue. It’s not about a no pipeline policy, it’s about the total resource of the province which we are trying to develop.”

The Gulf No Pipeline Pressure Group has held a series of meetings in Port Moresby and are planning a set of forums in the Gulf Province, starting in Kerema.

They are putting together a position paper of which the ‘No Pipeline Policy’ is one of the main arguments.

Miro Peter, coordinator of the Gulf No Pipeline Pressure Group, said: “For the developer you can stay out there and observe. This is our time within the next six months, the people of Gulf are going to make up their mind on what they want to do.

“The decision is not going to be made by the Governor and his team. It’s going to be collectively by every Gulf person.”

Former Gulf Governor, Havila Kavo, also said “Gulf LNG Project is the cry and heartbeat of the people and the pressure group’s stand to have no pipeline policy is a genuine call.”

On the other hand, Haiveta said while the group is pushing for the no pipeline, they have not provided an alternative.

“They must come with a feasible alternative. Now to come with a feasible alternative means that how is that going to be funded? Is Gulf Provincial Government books in the clear? Frankly I can tell you that since 2013, our books have not been audited,” he announced.

The Governor said their issues must be raised through their elected leaders.

He said he has invited the group to present their submissions as well as take it to the development forum to raise the issues.

“I’ve invited them to give their submissions. Bring the submission and give it to me. This is not about pressure groups or politics. There is an oil and gas act. Now whoever is in those pressure groups you have to go back and follow the Oil and Gas Act.

“Oil and gas act makes it specific that if you are a member of a group, you have to go back to your ILGs and once social mapping is done, you go through your ILGs. Now if you want to talk about your issues, you either come through your mandated elected leaders.”

He added: “If you are from the affected areas, the pipeline corridor, or the PRL proposed PDL, then you go back to the ILGs and complete those necessary work.

“If you’re a pressure group operating in Port Moresby, and you want to put pressure on me, that is not going to work. If you go to Kerema and talk that is still not going to work. You must follow the oil and gas act. I will follow the oil and gas act because that is the law.”

(Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta)

Author: 
Cedric Patjole