Economic and social development is high on the agenda of East Sepik provincial candidate Alan Bird.
“My personal success in agriculture and tourism has left me eager to help fellow Papua New Guineans increase their earning capacity from agriculture through improved productivity, marketing and value adding opportunities,” Bird said.
The candidate, when mandated after the June polls, will have to deal with the sensitive issue of Frieda Mine.
“While I will be heavily focused on improving the lot of subsistence farmers and industrial farming, the East Sepik Administration, which I hope to lead as Governor, will also need to address the complex issues of the Frieda River copper-gold project,” Bird said.
“PanAust, the Frieda Mine developer, last year submitted an application to the Mineral Resources Authority for a Special Mining Lease, one of the final steps for the multi-billion dollar project to begin development.
“Although the deposit is in Sandaun (Province), this is a complex project since it is located at the headwaters of the Sepik River.
“Every effort must be made to ensure adequate environmental controls are in place while delivering maximum benefits to our people.
“This project is of course subject to the full approval of the people, who will be most affected, the river people of East Sepik.”
Bird has been dubbed ‘bikpla pisin’ (big bird) in his province.
(Picture: Lowy Institute)