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DIRECTOR OF Mines and Mineral has paid a visit to landowners and leaders of Gao/Bugotu in Isabel province.
During his visit Mr Toba met with landowners, leaders and people of Huali village, Tatamba village, Horara village, Sigana village, Suva village, Sepi village, Lepi village and Lelegia village.
The visit was part of the government’s interest to process a new tender for the Nickel project in Isabel.
In an interview with Island Sun, Mr Thomas Toba said the visit was facilitated to share with leaders, landowners and people about the government’s next plan for Isabel nickel project.
This was following the judgement given by the High Court which saw two mining companies lose all rights to carry out mining operations in parts of Isabel early this year.
He said the aim and objective of his visit was to establish ways forward on how best to restart the project.
“My office thinks that getting down to the people with plans in place is the most transparent option towards achieving this project.
“We believe that through such initiative, land owners will be able to prepare themselves with most important information before the development takes place.
“We believe that lack of proper consultation with landowners and people was the huge mistake made during the previous process,” he explained.
Mr Toba said the best way is to share the government’s plan with landowners so that there will be no separation amongst landowners when the development proceeds.
He also said that the visit was also aimed at getting comments and suggestions from landowners, leaders and people so that processes taken are made according to people’s interest.
Mr Toba said the government recognises the importance of being on the same page with landowners when it comes to development plans.
He said his office will organise two more consultations this month (August) before the tender process proceeds, to brief the landowners about agreements and other matters.
Mr Toba continues to say that his office will facilitate another consultation after the tender process.
In his remarks, chief of Huali Village Mr Richard Talu said landowners, leaders and people of Isabel must be well versed with such developments before it takes place.
He said the government and responsible ministries must make all efforts to make sure transparency exists in the Isabel Nickel Project.
“Our communities are consisting of both literate and illiterate people as such consultation must be made twice or more to make sure we understand what is going to happen on our land,” Chief Talu said.
He said the Director of Mines has displayed a vital example by leading the consultation in preparation for Isabel Nickel Project.
Chief Talu salutes and at the same time urges the Director of Mines to continue with his good work.
http://theislandsun.com/director-mines-visits-landowners-isabel/