Chan calls on govt to come good on Lihir

NEW Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan has called on the national government to come good on the Lihir MoA, reports The National.

In particular, the NEC submission seeking conclusive settlement for the 15-year outstanding MoA commitments had been five months of lull without tangible outcome.

Sir Julius said at the request of the national government, he agreed to withdraw the lawsuit against the state and settle out of court. But, to date, nothing had materialised shoring deep concern in New Ireland about undertakings made by the state.

He said a high level team of officials from New Ireland met with the attorney-general and state officials at which the NIP team collaborated fully at its own cost to progress discussions reaching decision to file the NEC submission.

Making the statement a few days before the visit of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to officiate at the 100 years Centenary celebration of the Catholic faith at Lemakot parish in New Ireland, Sir Julius said: “I may consider putting the Lihir MoA issue back to court if nothing fruitful is forthcoming.”

The office of the prime minister had confirmed that he would officiate at the Lemakot celebrations about 40km outside Kavieng on Sunday, Feb 12, at the invitation of the Catholic parish.

Sir Julius said the provincial government and administration will accord all due recognition and protocol but his government is treating this as a private visit at the invitation of the church.

“If the prime minister comes, I expect NEC to announce settlement.

“I do not want another political sweet talk visit like the previous Somare visit.

“If no commitment, I intend to declare New Ireland an autonomous province of PNG,” Sir Julius said in a media statement yesterday.

“I cannot tolerate my people being continuously fooled over their rights and inheritance denied them for over 15 years of the Lihir gold mine.”