Lessons can be learned from the Exxon-led PNG LNG Project with regard to the Social Mapping and Benefit Sharing Arrangements that were arrived at for the Hela LO’s, Hela PG and GoPNG. The Gulf Province, although being an impacted province for the first LNG Project, failed to secure the construction of the Onshore Processing Facility within the province, which would have led to the creation of employment opportunities and spin off businesses for the Gulf people. The eventual decision by the Project developer to have the facility constructed at Papa Lealea is one which I will leave to conjecture. Missing the dinghy is what I also fear may happen if the GPG does not take a clearly articulated and firm position immediately to protect the interests of the Gulf LO’s and the Gulf people and ensure that maximum benefits are derived from the project. This is not the time for the GPG to be ‘mere observers’ and in fact, that is a ridiculous position to take. The resources are within the Gulf Province and as such, the GPG should be spearheading and taking a very proactive role towards the project. We all know that the GPG has established an office specifically for this purpose. What we don’t know is, what this office has been doing and what advice they have offered to the GPG regarding the stance that should be taken by the LO’s and GPG, relative to the discussions and negotiations with the Project developers (Interoil & TOTAL) and the National Government. There are a plethora of very highly educated Gulf sons and daughters in various fields of study, who would be very keen to provide their best advice & counsel to the GPG in relation to the Gulf LNG Project, should they be given an invitation and an opportunity to do so. No one within the GPG appears to be showing any interest or inclination to draw upon this pool of expertise and I’m dumb founded as to why not. The GPG should also be prepared to draw upon the skills and experience of other well educated PNG citizens, many of whom are very knowledgeable and well versed in the machinations of the Oil & Gas industry. The consequences of inaction by the GPG at this crucial stage are likely to be very dire and to the extreme detriment of the Gulf LO’s and the Gulf people, in the long run. On the same token, there is an inherent risk (and a dangerous one at that) of unscrupulous parties within and from outside of the GPG who may attempt to ‘capitalise’ on the absence of a clear positional statement from GPG, to get their own ‘CUT’ from the project.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 02:26:43 +0000
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