The Prime Minister’s visit to Madang to hear grievances from the landowners regarding development of the Ramu nickel project in my view didn’t achieve its purpose.
Most of the issues of concern were not discussed and it seemed that he avoided the mess he and his Government created. The landowners wanted to hear and question him about the amendments to the Environment Act 2000 among other things; however this was not adequately discussed. It was the other way around. He came not to hear… but to tell the people why the project should go ahead and the litany of the so-called benefits it would bring. Much of the time was taken up by the PM telling the audience what it was like during his days travelling around Madang as a teacher. Just a waste of time and taxpayers’ money. All these should have been done way before a mining permit was issued. Why telling us what we already know?
Joxes Madang
Post Courier, June 16 2010
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