Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has called on landowners from PNG LNG project areas to urgently resolve ongoing disputes to enable the release of over K800 million currently held in trust for their benefit.
Speaking in Tari following the signing of the PNG LNG gas-fired power supply MOU, Prime Minister Marape said that while some 30 court cases among various landowner groups remain before the courts, the Government is ready to pay out funds to undisputed clans whose entitlements have been verified.
“As I speak, more than K800 million has been transferred into trust accounts for landowners,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“We are ready to release these funds to those clans and land groups that have no disputes. For those who are still in dispute, I appeal to you to resolve your issues quickly — either through the courts or through mutual settlement — so everyone can benefit.”
The Prime Minister said the prolonged court battles have delayed long-overdue benefits to genuine landowners, and urged all parties to act in the national interest.
“This is the money our economy needs,” he said.
“It should not be sitting idle in the banks while our people continue to struggle. Once released, this money will circulate through our economy — to build homes, start businesses, and improve lives across the project areas.”
Prime Minister Marape also appealed to the judiciary to expedite the hearing of landowner cases to ensure that legitimate recipients can access their funds without further delay.
Government Bringing Services Closer to Hela
During his visit, Prime Minister Marape also officially opened the Hela Haus 2 building in Tari, which will house key government and commercial offices aimed at decentralising essential services back to the province.
The ground floor of the new modern facility will host a BSP Financial Group branch, while the upper floors will accommodate offices for:
• Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC)
• Department of Petroleum
• Internal Revenue Commission (IRC)
• Investment Promotion Authority (IPA)
“I do not want our landowners and citizens travelling to Port Moresby to look for government offices,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“Government must come back and live in Hela Province. We are building modern offices so that our people can access services directly at home — where the oil and gas resources come from.”
He commended Governor Hon. Philip Undialu and the Hela Provincial Government for using royalty and development levy funds responsibly to invest in modern infrastructure, and MRDC for taking up office space to serve landowners more effectively.
“This is how development should work — bringing government closer to the people, ensuring that resources from the province return to benefit the province,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“I want other resource provinces to follow this example.”