By Gedion Timothy 
The Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) has successfully concluded an Awareness Exercise on the Clan Bank Account Opening for the Hides PDL1 beneficiaries in the PNG LNG Project in Hela province.
This phase marks the culmination of extensive groundwork and engagement with the community over several months.
The Awareness Exercise aimed to ensure that vital information and requirements regarding the account opening process were effectively communicated to the landowners. It provided an opportunity for landowners to seek clarification and ask questions about the process, fostering transparency and understanding.
Carried out over a week from April 15 to April 19, 2024, the awareness exercise covered five regions: Tuguba, Hiwa, Tugu Tapiria, Kamea Kera, and Habono. However, the JP Karai Region was excluded due to an ongoing legal dispute before the National Court.
Key stakeholders involved in the exercise included the Department of Petroleum, the Bank of South Pacific (BSP), the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC), ExxonMobil, Santos, Hela Provincial Government, police, and the PNG Defence Force.
Mr. Bartholomew Yacop, General Manager of MRDC’s External Affairs Division, addressed landowners in the villages, outlining the four phases of the program: Awareness, Collection of Clan Meeting Minutes, Opening of Clan Bank Accounts, and Election of Directors to the Hides PDL1 landowner company.
“MRDC is committed to ensuring that the clan bank account opening process is transparent, independent, and that your benefits are coordinated and paid in a timely manner,” Mr. Yacop stated, emphasizing MRDC’s role as the process administrator and facilitator.
He further clarified that Bank South Pacific (BSP) is responsible for opening the clan bank accounts, while the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC) will administer and conduct the election of Directors.
Following the completion of the Awareness Exercise, the Department of Petroleum will collect minutes and resolutions from each clan, detailing the appointment of clan executives and signatories to their accounts. All accounts for benefits delivery will be held and operated in Tari, reflecting MRDC’s commitment to paying benefits through BSP or banks operating in the project impact district or province.
The Clan Bank Account Opening Program is scheduled to commence on April 29, 2024, with a mobilized BSP team stationed in Hides to facilitate the process.
Mr. Yacob expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the Awareness Exercise, noting the cooperation of landowners and their eagerness to complete the process and begin receiving long-awaited benefits.