2ND EDITION OF THE SUN’S INSIGHT INTO THE PNGSDP, STATE, BHP AND WESTERN PROVINCE SAGA – THE RECENT UPDATES
Background facts
1. Because of the complexity of this matter-to understand this article-you must first read the article titled ‘THE SUN’S INSIGHT INTO THE PNGSDP, STATE AND BHP BILITON AND THE CLOUDY BAY ISSUE – THE PAST, PRESENT AND THE FUTURE.’ click here:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1552552658205944&id=765439466917271 to read its full contents.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1552552658205944&id=765439466917271 to read its full contents.
2. In that article, we concluded the future-way forward is to review the initial agreement and involve Western Province (WP) as a signatory to the New Agreement.
3. We have read all the comments and questions from all our readers and in this article, we have promised we will continue to unpack issues so that the STATE, BHP, PNGSDP and WP representatives can resolve the issues between O’Neill and Sir Mekere.
4. The purpose-of this article, the previous one and others in the series-is to eventually find a solution based on facts for the benefit of the people of WP and PNG as a whole. (Some readers have commented that they want to know the history and felt that the first article was biased but please provide us the other facts if you have them. We are interested in utilizing the current facts to drive at an outcome rather than dwelling on the rights and wrongs of the past. Lest we forget, Sir Mekere and O’Neill are both the problem and the solution.
STATE
The State has made several attempts through the political level and directly to meet BHP Billiton after the failed one by the Namaliu Committee to resolve the issues between PNGSDP and STATE. The latter realized that the decision maker was BHP Billiton which is at the back of PNGSDP.
We understand the BHP is interested in engaging with the State. However, it has slowed down the progress of the talks due to the influence of PNGDSP. Sir Mekere and the current Governor of Western province, Taboi Awi Yoto went to see Philip Bainbridge and John Wylie-who are representatives of BHP as ‘A’ Directors to find out if it was possible for Yoto to see BHP. Mr Wylie had a discussion with the BHP representatives in Brisbane and rather than getting the governor to see BHP, he shut down the discussions which the State was already having with the company.
Sir Mekere, John Wylie and Philip Bainbridge must allow the Governor and State to have these discussions with BHP. He is an elected representative of the people. He will have to explain to his people why they (Mekere, John Wylie and Philip) have stalked the discussions with BHP and how they want to resolve the issues for the benefit of the people of WP? How will the governor get PNGSDP to deliver projects in his province? BHP wants to resolve these issues. PNGSDP cannot get in the way.
Hence, O’Neill has announced an expensive Commission of Inquiry (COI) and engaged Slater and Gordon Lawyers to attack BHP shareholders and Directors. O’Neill and Governor Yoto need to talk directly to BHP if Mekere’s people in PNGSDP are playing games as was the case.
BHP BILLITON
The company approached John Wylie, CEO of PNGSDP in their Brisbane office in March 2018 to inform him of their ongoing discussions with the State to resolve the issues. State had already given their POSITION PAPER to BHP. John Wylie literally SHUT DOWN the discussions after it had one with Mr Bainbridge. Whose interest is John Wylie serving? Is he acting in the best interest of the people of WP? Experienced and learned PNGeans on the Board of Directors of PNGSDP like David Sode, Rex Paki, Betty Lovai, Wilson Kamit and Don Manoa must wake up from their slumber and see this. Mr Wylie is the weak link. He is not on the ground in PNG. He is not sensitive to needs such as health, education and infrastructure of the people of WP. He is also not respectful of elected leaders like the governor and others from the province.
A big company like BHP can consult PNGSDP but does not have to go by what the latter or its directors say. In the best interest of their shareholders and their corporate reputation, they need to re-engage in discussions with the State and the governor. The State taking BHP to court is unnecessary.
PNGSDP
The State, BHP and the people of WP need to know that the Board of Directors of PNG SDP appears to have gone to sleep and allow John Wylie, Sir Mekere and Philip Bainbridge who are the BHP appointed “A” Directors to take control. It is sad that PNG “B” Directors-David Sode, Rex Paki, Betty Lovai, Don Manoa and Wilson Kamit have been tight-lipped because they do not want to upset Mekere who is now a Member (similar to powers of a shareholder) of the company which has the powers to appoint and terminate directors. We understand former and current senior people who are associated with the long term funds have tried to broker some deals but has hit Mekere and O’Neill’s brick wall.
Are they scared of Mekere removing them as directors? Are they acting in the best interest of the people of WP or Mekere? Should the rules be changed (Note Mekere and Members changed the rules without consulting BHP and State to remain permanent directors) during the review to kick these guys out? Why did Sir Mekere change the rules? The Singaporean Court was informed about this question. We will not go to the details to avoid being malicious.
At the end of the day, BHP (in the interest of its shareholders) and State (which includes the Western Provincial government) are the original signatories to the Agreement and, as and when they agree to a REVIEW, PNGSDP will become consequential.
The review is crucial because, inter alia, the Long Term Funds of US$ 1.4 billion cannot be used by PNGSDP in WP for projects because the ‘Mine Closure Definition’ needs to be amended by the State and BHP.
PEOPLE OF WESTERN PROVINCE-THE BENEFICIARIES
Sir Mekere took the newly elected governor of and an open MP of the province (an Opposition MP) to BHP to talk to them. These elected members have a duty to inform the people of Western province the outcome of their discussions. However, we understand Mr John Wylie, the one who entered into a $9 million Cloudy Bay deal with the alleged terrorists, who has NOT VISITED Western Province in the last five years, got in the way. Mekere and PNGSDP Board members must REPLACE HIM immediately.
The people headed by the governor should then decide to join in the Singapore Court cases to seek justice as beneficiaries if BHP and State refuse to AGREE TO A REVIEW AND INCLUDE THEM IN THE REVIEW DISCUSSIONS. BHP should also be made a party to the court cases. They will fail their people back in the province if they take sides in the fight between Morauta and O’Neill.
CONCLUSION-WAY FORWARD
We will continue to unpack the issues and provide updates in the next edition of the series.
Readers are encouraged to continue to ask intelligent questions and assist us to craft a solution rather than being emotional and take political sides (or mere FB trolls).
The people of Western and other readers are also encouraged to talk to the MPs particularly the Governor and the Provincial Administrator (who is a board member of PNGSDP) of WP to take a more proactive role which should include PEC passing a resolution to setup a committee of intellectuals to assist navigate through these issues.
The purpose of this edition-the initial one and others in the series- is to eventually find a SOLUTION based on FACTS in the BEST INTEREST of the PEOPLE OF WP AND PNG as a whole.
We, once again, remind you that O’Neill and Mekere remain the PROBLEM and also the SOLUTION. They are the puppet masters. The former must stop all these unnecessary expensive COI and engage with BHP and the governor. The governor must bring them together to resolve the issues.
If Sir Mekere picks up the phone and tell BHP to talk to the State and Governor, we are sure BHP will resume discussions. If Mekere is interested in assisting the people of WP(which we have no doubt he does) through the governor and his fellow Open MPs, he must stop listening to John Wylie and Phil Bainbridge, and talk directly to BHP. Mr Wylie is his problem.
In our next article, we will update our readers on the latest. Stay tuned by liking our page.
