Opposition questions PNG’s position on dumping of Fukushima nuclear waste into Pacific Ocean

The discharge of Fukushima nuclear waste into the Pacific Ocean by Japan was this week raised in Parliament as concerning.

Opposition leader Joseph Lelang said a report by the Government of Japan that the radioactive waste was within an acceptable standard was contradicted by a report from an expert panel commissioned by the Pacific Island Forum nations.

The Pacific Island experts stated in their report that the dumping of radioactive nuclear waste into the ocean would be harmful to marine life and people whose livelihood depends on the ocean.

Mr Lelang believes this may not only jeopardize the Pacific Ocean but also the major fishery industry projects that Papua New Guinea has embarked on.

Prime Minister James Marape said Papua New Guinea did not intend to support a discharge that was not fit to be released into the ocean, clarifying further that the Government had been in consultation with the Japanese Government to ensure the discharge is in line with approved International Atomic Energy Agency levels.

“PNG as country and a member to the Pacific Island Forum nations is equally concerned in terms of the safety of the people and the ocean,” Marape said.

“PNG has met Japan on numerous occasions to ensure Japan meets the required standard and in the last Pacific Island Forum in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Japanese Government has given Pacific Island nations the highest assurance that the discharge is within acceptable scientific level."

The Government of Japan has given its assurance to build testing facilities in all Pacific Island nations to test the level of pollutants the nuclear waste could possibly cause.