Basil tells government to stop brainwash people with multi-million kina projects

Papua New Guinea Deputy Opposition Leader and Bulolo MP Sam Basil has told the Government to stop using people as “puppets” in major multi-million kina projects.

Basil cited as example the recent launching of Pacific Marine Industrial Zone project in Madang by the Government and the China Shenyang International Technical Economic Corporation.

He said locals wondered what sort of benefits would reach them to raise their standard of living.

“Where and how are locals participating in oil, gas, mining, forestry – and now marine – projects going to benefit?” he said.

“What type of level or standard of living has the Government brought to locals who deserved to access the benefits of the projects?” 

He said the Government must clarify in “black and white” to the people what benefits they were going to receive, starting from the memorandum of understanding, agreements or references. 

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said during the opening of the projects in Madang that 30,000 jobs would be created for locals, plus other financial benefits from spin-off business activities. 

O’Neil said issues raised by locals on their benefits and the impact of the project on the environment would be addressed, assuring the people that their grievances would be looked at by government.