outstanding payments

These payments were for service providers during the last national general election.

Mr. Navi said almost K3 million is still outstanding. He said in previous elections, the budget given to host elections was less than the amount requested. This leaves the provincial electoral office in debt.

“Every election is always like that. We budgeted for a certain amount of money but we were given less and that affects us,” Mr. Navi stated.

Two weeks ago, they were addressed by Financial Manager, George Memke, where they called for another dialogue, this time with Governor Ramsey Pariwa and Provincial Administrator Frank Lau present.

Yesterday they stormed the provincial government house to get an audience with them. The lack of answers continues to frustrate the disgruntled business owners.

Mr Lau, who was there to address them, said there was no hold up of payments from his end and that initially, two budgets were made; one by him, and the other by the governor.

This outstanding rental bill comprised of K50 million accrued in 2023, and K58 million outstanding from several years prior to 2023.

NSL is seeking payment of its outstanding rental arrears after the State failed to make scheduled payments for the months of February, March, April, May and June, 2023.

Last year, NSL and the State reached an agreement whereby the State would settle the remaining balance of its rental arrears in K10 million monthly instalments.

The South East Mananda (SEM) Working Committee wants their demands met or else they will stop all PNG LNG related work in their area.

The landowners recently called a media conference to air their frustrations over what they claim are outstanding payments being held back by the state.

They said the last they received any benefit was on 2011 when Oil Search paid them K8 million royalties.

Their five main demands include: