Government called to investigate Caution Bay
Former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has called for an investigation into the Caution Bay development, near the PNG LNG site at Papa Lealea in Central Province.
Mr. O’Neill alleges that the “280 hectares of prime state land were transferred to four companies in the British Virgin Islands in 2019, in turn 67 hectares were pre-sold”.
Mr. O'Neill further alleges new documents handed to him outline “the extensive nature of State Land converted to State Lease for British Virgin Island owned companies connected to Dirio Power Station builders and operators, Pacific Energy Consulting, T20 and Twenty20 Energy.”
The proposed development was to include “a five-star 180-key hilltop hotel tower, 170 bungalow suites, an iconic pool club & restaurant and the region’s only glass bottom pool among others”.
Mr. O’Neill alleges that the land which was given freely to this foreign company is now being sold back to the landowners:
A notice under section 69 issued by Lands Minister John Rosso in November 2020 exempted that portion of land at Caution Bay from advertisement due to reasons that it was considered for a business lease or isolated industrial use.
Mr. O’Neill has questioned how this portion of land can be converted from State Land to a 99-year State Lease without proper consultation or transparency.
Hiri Koiari MP Keith Iduhu has given Government 7-days to come clean on this deal or he’s warned he’ll take legal action.
Mr Iduhu slammed what he described as “dubious and secretive deals from Hiri to Koiari as deeply disturbing.”
Prime Minister James Marape in response to questions from NBC News has refuted these allegations.
He maintains his government is responsible, and if need be proper consultation and paper works will be carried out to ensure the land deal is a win-win deal.
Mr Marape further brushed aside the allegations saying, the government is willing to work with the landowners and ensure they benefit from their land.
NBC News reached out to Lands Minister John Rosso’s office who said they would respond within seven days.