New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan has praised the O’Neill- Dion Government for recognising the resource landowners of the country.
The veteran politician was the first finance minister when Papua New Guinea gained independence in 1975.
Sir Julius comments followed the revelation by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill of the National Executive Council’s decision to give equities of Ok Tedi and Panguna Mines back to the landowners.
He also challenged the government to give special attention to the Bill he is sponsoring to make amendment to the Land Act.
The Governor said if the Bill is passed by Parliament it will revolutionise the law governing ownership, extraction and payment of royalties and tax levies.
“The purpose of my Bill is to give reorganisation back to landowners,” Sir Julius said.