Works secretary unaware as Poroma landowners stage peaceful protest over road project

Works and Highways secretary Gibson Holemba says he is unaware of a protest staged by Poroma landowners over an upcoming road development.

Landowners living along the corridors of the Poroma Kutubu Access Road in the Nipa Kutubu District of Southern Highlands Province staged a peaceful protest yesterday at the Poroma road junction.

The landowners demanded immediate engagement with authorities ahead of tomorrow's official launching of the Poroma-Kutubu Road project at Pimaga village in Kutubu Local Level Government (LLG).

Holemba told NBC News that he is unaware of the protest but his officers on site are monitoring the situation.

"I'm not are of the protest but we are monitoring the situation on the ground," the secretary said when responding to NBC News on whether Works department was aware of the grievances raised by the landowners.

The protesters, carrying placards and gathering at the strategic road junction, sought to voice their grievances before the infrastructure project's commencement.

Among the messages displayed, one placard clearly stated: "No Poroma Kutubu Access Road without proper consultations with landowners."

Local businessman and community leader Charles Andaiyo explained that the proposed road stretches 105 kilometers from Poroma Junction in Poroma LLG to Kamari Gate in Kutubu LLG.

The road sealing initiative is being financed through the Tax Credit Scheme, with funds sourced from mining companies operating in the region.

“These funds rightfully belong to us the landowners residing along the road corridors," he said. "No construction will proceed unless the Ministry of Works and National Highways, the contractors, and other stakeholders provide clear explanations for why landowners have been excluded from the consultation."

Andaiyo emphasized the critical role the road has played in facilitating mining activities in the area and pointed out that without the road link connecting Poroma Junction to the Kutubu and Moran oil and gas fields, mining operations would not have been possible, nor would the substantial tax revenues that have now accumulated to fund the road sealing project.

"Since Kutubu Oil commenced operations in the 1990s, our people have respected and supported Chevron Niugini, Oil Search Limited, ExxonMobil, and now Santos Foundation Limited," he said. "As Poroma landowners, we are integral to the road that provides access to the mining area."

The landowners are requesting meaningful participation in economic spinoff opportunities arising from the project.

Andaiyo said several landowners, including himself, operate local construction companies and should be engaged as subcontractors in the road development.

He revealed that landowner construction companies have been involved in routine maintenance activities every two years, with the current cycle continuing into 2025-2026. However, once the road is sealed, these opportunities for ongoing maintenance work will disappear, making current involvement in the major project even more critical.

He also drew attention to the health and environmental impact that landowners have endured over the years. He further elaborated that people living along the road corridor have suffered from respiratory problems caused by dust particles generated by semi-trailers and mining vehicles.

Additionally, the constant passage of heavy vehicles creates daily disturbances, with vibrations shaking the earth and affecting nearby homes.

"I believe the grievances I am presenting today have not reached the office of Prime Minister or the Ministry of Works and Highways," he said. "Those responsible for reporting these issues may have indicated that everything is satisfactory, but that is far from the truth. We feel voiceless, which is why this peaceful protest is our only means of capturing the attention of decision-makers."

The landowners' concerns were formally documented in a petition, which was handed over to police present at the demonstration site for delivery to the relevant authorities.

Security personnel commended the protesters for maintaining a peaceful approach and urged them to refrain from establishing roadblocks.

The landowners agreed to comply with this request, indicating their commitment to constructive dialogue rather than disruption.