The Panguna Development Company Ltd Facebook post reads:"SMLOLA...

The Panguna Development Company Ltd Facebook post reads:

"SMLOLA does not represent landowners
The PDCL wants to make it clear that the Special Mining Lease Osikaiyang Landowners Association (SMLOLA) has no authority to speak on behalf of, or represent, Panguna landowners.
It is deeply regrettable that the SMLOLA continues to issue misleading public statements to this effect when the group is not an “approved entity” under the Bougainville Mining Act 2015 when it comes to representing landowners. This status can only be afforded with the express consent of the Customary Heads, who are authorised to represent Panguna blocks, and this consent has never been granted.
The PDCL is in the process of sending a formal letter and petition from 38 Customary Heads from the Panguna Pit area, to the SMLOLA’s chairman to emphasise these facts and to call on the group to immediately cease claiming to be an entity that has the authority to represent landowners..."

Very interesting. Who exactly are SMLOLA and whose interests are they representing? And why does the SMLOLA Facebook page state that the people who manage the page are located in Australia? I thought SMLOLA operate from Karoona House in Panguna PNG. It appears the curtain has been lifted.

Refer to the "Page Transparency" section on the right on the home page of SMLOLA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meekamui/