Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has launched a formal benefit-sharing process for the Papua LNG project, signaling a decisive push to resolve longstanding compensation disputes with local landowners.
The initiative, announced in Port Moresby, is designed to unify stakeholders and ensure transparency as the project approaches a critical Final Investment Decision (FID) later this year.
The move addresses persistent political and social friction that has threatened the project's timeline.
By establishing a clear framework for revenue distribution, the government aims to mitigate the risk of community protests or legal challenges that could delay construction or increase costs.
This development is crucial for maintaining investor confidence in one of the country's most significant energy infrastructure projects.
Previously, Prime Minister Marape directed Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina to address all outstanding issues surrounding the project, emphasizing that no landowners would be excluded from payments.