Anton Yagama

In two separate Supreme Court appeals that were filed by Yagama and Yama against their conviction and sentence, two different Supreme Court bench upheld their appeal, quashing the sentence on Tuesday.

On 31 January 2014, Justice David Cannings of the Madang National Court sentenced Yagama to nine months in prison while Yama was given six months for contempt of court after they failed to control their supporters who incited violence in the precinct of the Madang National court on 3 September 2013.

Chan made the assurance in Parliament on Friday when asked by Usino-Bundi MP, Anton Yagama.

Yagama said since the project began, tons in mineral exports have left their shores at Basamuk, however, to this date there has been no royalty.

He also queried when the outstanding K10 million would be paid to the landowners.

Chan said the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and project developers, Metallurgical Company of China (MCC), had recently agreed to pay landowners royalties.