Landowners in Papua New Guinea's Gulf province say they are taking their dispute over a major new gas project to court.
Gas pipes Photo: 123rf
The government this month agreed terms for the $US13 billion Papua LNG project, based on the Elk / Antelope gas field in Gulf Province, to be led by French company Total.
But the Post Courier reported that landowners from Baimuru district claim the agreement was signed without compliance with the Oil and Gas Act.
At a media conference in Port Moresby, a group led by former political leaders from the province warned they would launch a legal challenge to the agreement.
They also said that the planned signing of a project memorandum of understanding between the State and the provincial government would be illegal.
Gulf Province governor Chris Haiveta told the newspaper that the cabinet was to deliberate on the MOU before signing today in Kerema but it has been deferred.