Larry Andagali

He said this during signing of documents by the Governors Southern Highlands, Hela, Gulf and Central to exercise the option before the option lapses on  December 31, 2016.

Under the Umbrella Benefit Sharing Agreement (UBSA) of 2009, the Kroton Equity Option represents an option to purchase 4.27 per cent of the states 16.57 per cent equity in the PNGLNG Project, which is held by KPHL.

The Waigani National Court handed down its decision this afternoon on the case filed by Hela businessman Larry Andagali.

Andagali filed the case over the Electoral Commission’s delay in conducting a by-election for the Governor’s seat following the passing of the late Governor Anderson Agiru on April 28.

The court found and declared that the office of the Governor became vacant on April 28, however, it refused to order a by-election, four months on since the death of the late Agiru.

Bank statements from BSP and ANZ were also presented to them by the Mineral Resource Development Company to confirm their 2 percent free carry equities are kept there.

Landowner representative and businessman Larry Andagali thanked the government and MRDC for proving to them that their funds are being kept safe.

He said they have remained as ‘doubting Thomas’ after being misled by people with vested interests and they are now happy to reopen the gates to the well heads and the conditioning plant.

O’Neill told Loop PNG that the law is clear about by-elections.

“The law is clear, no by-elections in 12 months before the general elections,” he said.

O’Neill said he is not answerable to Andagali and “he is not special for us to conduct elections for him.”

Andagali issued a statement last week in response to the National Newspaper on Thursday, August 11, 2016, which stated that there will be no polls for Hela Provincial or Governors seat.

He said PDL 1 landowners will join as well because he claims the Government has taken six-and-a-half years, since the signing of the final LBBSA agreement (Dec 7, 2009), to kick-start the PNG LNG Project.

Andagali says the Government has turned a “blind eye” on its people through the slow clan vetting and landowner identification process.

He said the provincial government supported an NEC-approved “beneficiary group” to negotiate and manage the 4.27 percent Kroton equity, which does not represent the PDL1 landowners’ interest.