By Gedion Timothy 
The Government has launched a pre-Community Development Agreement (CDA) awareness program in Lae, focusing on the transformative Wafi-Golpu mining project, poised to reshape Papua New Guinea’s economy.
This crucial consultation brought together representatives from key stakeholders, including landowner groups—Yanta, Hengambu, Babuaf, Wampar, Butibam, and Wagang—as well as officials from the Morobe Provincial Government and local authorities.
The goal of the consultation was to empower landowners and communities affected by the project by equipping them with essential information about the benefits they can expect and the CDA process. Participants received detailed briefings on key benefit streams such as royalties, equity shares, Business Development Grants, Infrastructure Development Grants, and Tax Credit Schemes.
The state team provided a comprehensive overview of the relevant laws, policies, and procedures governing benefit distribution. They clarified the roles of beneficiaries and the responsibilities of all parties involved in the CDA. Notable highlights included thorough explanations of the CDA framework, equity distributions, and various potential business opportunities for stakeholders.
The session was marked by active participation, with landowners and stakeholders engaging state representatives with questions about the topics discussed. John Nema, President of the Hengambu Landowners Association, expressed his appreciation for the valuable insights shared during the consultation, underscoring that Hengambu, along with Yanta and Babuaf, forms one of the three Special Mining Lease (SML) 10 landowner groups that will directly benefit from the project.
“We are eager for the project’s prompt commencement, but we need more information to prepare adequately for the formal CDA signing,” stated Mr. Nema. He emphasized the community’s robust support for the project and their readiness to make necessary sacrifices to advance its progress. He also urged all landowner groups and stakeholders to collaborate constructively with the state team, despite any differing perspectives, to expedite the completion of the CDA.
The state team reiterated their commitment to maintaining open lines of communication, indicating that this meeting marks the first of several consultations planned for the future. Jerry Naime, the Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the Mineral Resources Authority’s Development Coordination Division (DCD), assured attendees that a comprehensive roadmap would be created to guide all parties toward the successful finalization of the CDA.
This initiative is led by the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council (PM & NEC), with contributions from the Office of the State Solicitor, Mineral Policy & Geohazards Management (DMPGM), Commerce & Industry, Treasury, and the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA).