The Papua New Guinea MP for the LAIGAP-Porgera district, Nixon Mangape, wants the government to offer Porgera landowners equity in their gold mine.
Porgera mine. Photo: wikicommons / Richard Farbellini
Earlier this month the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill announced his government was transferring equity it holds in Bougainville Copper Ltd and Western Province's Ok Tedi mine to landowners in those provinces.
Ok Tedi mine, Papua New Guinea Photo: Dev Policy
Mr Mangape said the government should do the same for Porgera landowners.
The Post Courier newspaper quotes Mr Mangape saying the Porgera gold mine in Enga Province has sustained the national economy for many years, contributing 16 per cent of GDP during the past 25 years.
He said in recognition of this contribution the government should give free equity in the Porgera gold mine to the Porgera landowners.