royalty payments

He said this is to ensure the landowners do not hold the city at ransom by issuing demands for payments and shutting down water and power.

Iduhu raised this after the landowners of Koiari shut down power and water to the city yesterday and demanded their K15 million overdue payment from the government yesterday.

“KCH must look for a way forward so you (the landowners) can sign a real agreement to ensure this must not happen again,” he said.

Central Sogeri Holdings Ltd chairman, Arua Salesoge said landowners are currently on site at Rouna 2 Hydropower station, they have promised not to damage any assets belonging to PNG Power; and only want their demand met.

“The people will be camped here, they won’t move. But we assure that we will take ownership and will look after the properties like our own, because PNG power has been here for years. The workers and the safety of everyone is guaranteed. We won’t touch any equipment and assets. Our demand is pay the K15 million and we happily exit this area,” Salesoge said.

The landowners in a show of frustration this morning blocked off the road leading to the Sirinumu dam and Rouna hydropower station, threats were issued to shut down water and electricity supply to the city, if the demand was not met.

The payout is the outstanding royalty payment of K15 million to Koiari’s four landowner companies, which was unsettled over several years.

According to Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) mining activity in five projects generated K158.11 million.

The resource companies to have contributed are Simberi Mine (New Ireland), Hidden Valley (Morobe), Ok Tedi (Western Province), Porgera (Enga), and Lihir (New Ireland).

The following are royalty payments made by the resource companies.