30/04/2020
+++PRIME MINISTER JAMES MARAPES BRAVE STAND ON PORGERA GOLD MINE IS COMMENDABLE+++
| 30th April 2020 |
The bravest sight is to see good men selflessly fighting against adversity for their people. I am compelled to speak out and throw support behind our Prime Minister James Marape; who is daring to dream.
In light of this landmark decision, I wish to make three main points on the issue of Porgera Mine. The first and most important of these, I will speak of last and start with my second point.
On behalf of my people of Kompiam-Ambum, Porgera, Wage in Kandep and Enga, I would like to unreservedly thank our Prime Minister and my Hela Huli brother for his convictions in making the decision to give our people the opportunity that no other Prime Minister since Independence has had the courage and convictions to do.
for Barrick Gold
I have seen the concerns raised by Barrick Gold and understand their position. They are a corporate entity and have responsibilities to their employees, contractors and most importantly their shareholders. But I would also like to remind Barrick of their corporate social responsibilities.
There has been much devastation caused to the environment surrounding the mine during the last thirty (30) years of operation. The local communities and people have suffered both directly and indirectly as a result of the mine’s operations and there has been significant disparity in the distribution of the benefits from the mine. These are a cause for much concern. Denying these concerns exist and pressing forward for the renewal of the mining lease are not actions of a responsible Government.
The Government of Papua New Guinea and a majority of the initial 24 principal landowners that signed the Special Mining Lease to allow the operation of Porgera mine have made a decision not to renew the mining lease again to Barrick. The PNG Government has proposed a 12-month transition period, which allows for the negotiation of finer details and an amicable exit by Barrick. During this period, Barrick will be allowed to gain from the proceeds of the mine’s production and at the same time, offload their assets at a fair market value.
Barrick can choose to act responsibly being mindful of the imbalance on its ledger and its depraved history in Porgera. Claims and lawsuits for environmental damage and human rights abuse have been widely reported. Nevertheless, our people have been very respectful to laws of this country and the SML and allowed Barrick to operate in the last 30years without major disturbances.
Now that the SML has expired, we have followed that lawful process and have denied Barrick the extension.
The decision by the PNG Government is a clear indication that there can be no further relationship. Our Government has chosen to stand with its people over Barrick’s application for renewal despite its sweetened terms. We need not be educated by foreign companies on what is best for us and what we are forgoing as a result of this decision. The Government has made a judgment for the best interest of the landowners, the country and more importantly for our future generations.
The operations of Barrick are spread across the globe operating in many different countries. You have seen these countries compared to ours. Most of these countries are developed nations that enjoy a wealth of minerals and natural resources like PNG. However, unlike us, they have highly developed infrastructure and well established education and health systems. We are a struggling democracy, and after 30 years of the Porgera mine’s operation, we are unsatisfied that this has adequately contributed to our development. We remain the best judges of our own future. Please respect that fact.
Barrick Gold has the opportunity to show itself to be a unique corporate global citizen and leave with dignity and good faith. Shock the corporate world by giving back to a struggling developing nation that has enriched their shareholders for many years. What a news story that will be for the international community.
However, if Barrick chooses not to leave without a fight, threatening to close the mine, and remove the mine’s installation and equipment, and to file lawsuits in the courts, these actions will not paint a good picture of a noble corporate citizen who has benefited immensely from our resources, or a concerned development partner – these paint a negative image.
I must warn Barrick. You may win the lawsuit by International Arbitration. You may enrich and collude with individuals and certain groups of landowners to the detriment of the majority. You may set back our economy and move powerful forces against us – but our people have been awakened!
This decision by our Prime Minister has awoken the beating hearts of a thousand tribes across our nation. Ten million landowners will finally know the truth about corporations, ther empty promises and true agenda.
This is our land, and we will thrive on it like we have done since time immemorial. We are a resilient people that have survived many challenges. A civil war, famine, disease, economic hardships and depression. We are a thousand cultures but one people under God, who remains our secret weapon and the Defender of our nation. Our world will not end because of you or any other developer leaving our shores – we shall prevail. Barrick winning the arbitration will not kill us, and as we endure, the countless generations to come will see this defining moment in our history, they will remember that this day, true sons of Papua New Guinea stood up for their future.
We acknowledge and remember existing partners and developers in PNG. Some have been here longer than Barrick, and will continue to help build our country. Our Government in this matter, is ensuring that the relationship between our country and developers, brings mutual benefits. You have been with us and know that we are a welcoming, caring, loving, fair and genuine people, who only act when we feel we need to protect our own rights and lives.
for Our People
Today our world faces unprecedented times. In such times; great leaders are forged and inspirational stories are written. Our Prime Minister’s resolution to take back our resources in Porgera is an extraordinary first step. A mighty tree sleeps inside a small seed. An eagle lies inside an egg, and the hopes and dreams of an entire generation lay within the courageous steps taken by our Prime Minister.
Brothers and sisters, let us learn from our past. The seeds we plant today will be harvested tomorrow by our children. Just like the seeds planted by our fathers since Independence are being sowed by us today. This time we have the benefits of hindsight and we must learn from the mistakes we have made. This is an opportunity that will arrive only once in a generation, and we must take ownership by rising to the challenge before us.
Specifically, to our Ipili people and families in Porgera, forget the failings and disputes of the past. Forgive each other and bury the burdens and sufferings with the expired mining lease. This is a new beginning and a chance to build better lives for yourselves and your children. Sit around a table of brotherhood and sisterhood and agree on a benefit sharing arrangement that is fair and sustainable for all.
Our resource owners in this blessed country are watching. Especially on the Islands of Bougainville who have sacrificed too much for their land and resources. Now their brothers and sisters in Porgera and across our land have seen their great sacrifices and are fighting for their own land and rights in a smaller way. We must stand up for our land and our people and may this be a small part of a greater victory for us all. We are setting precedence here.
For the first time, our good Lord has blessed us with a Prime Minister who is listening to our people and fighting for the landowners against corporations and developers. No other Prime Minister would have acted like this, and for this we must give credit to him and give thanks to our Heavenly Father.
To the rest of Papua New Guinea, this is the time to take our country back. Rally behind our Prime Minister and Government for this cause. We must not let fear dictate our actions, but have hope and belief in ourselves, and above all trust God. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will go before us and fight our battles.
to our Prime Minister Hon. James Marape
My final and foremost message is to my brother in faith and in blood. Prime Minister, your decision sends a clear and resounding message to all the thousand tribes across our nation.
I remember the story of Queen Esther at this time. An orphan girl raised in the home of her uncle Mordechai. Chosen above all the prettier and more suitable girls of her time, to become Queen of Great Persia. When a decree was made to kill her people, she saw no way to be able to help her people, because custom and tradition dictated even she could not approach her husband King unsummoned. Disobedience would mean certain death and despite several messages from her uncle Mordechai, she feared for her life. She said to her uncle that she was unable to stand before the laws of the Great Persian Empire.
But Mordechai replied in never-to-be-forgotten words, “Maybe for such a time as this, you have come to the palace and become Queen. For such a time as this – you were chosen amongst all the others to deliver your people.’’
My brother Prime Minister, you are the son of a humble missionary pastor. Who was a champion and warrior of Christ, and he brought light to the darkest corners of our nation. I believe for such a time as this, though imperfect we all are, you were chosen to lead our people.
May God bless your leadership and give you the strength to continue to stand up for our people. Have no fear despite the adversity and challenges ahead. Hold true the promise of Mordechai’s God, that He will be with you always – even unto the ends of the earth. Your country and people stand behind you.
May God Bless our people and the Independent state of Papua New Guinea
Sir John Thomas Pundari, MBA, CMG, KBE, MP
Parliamentary Leader of Liberal Party Inc
