CENTRAL PROVINCE MPS PROTEST EXCLUSION FROM LNG EQUITY BOARD

CAPTION: Hiri-Koiari MP Keith Iduhu accused the government of sidelining Central Province and plant-site landowners from the new Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)

BY NIGEL MADO

HIRI-Koiari MP Keith Iduhu has accused the government of sidelining Central Province and plant-site landowners from the new Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established to manage the 4.27 per cent PNG LNG equity stake, describing the arrangement as unfair and divisive.

Raising the matter during this week’s Parliament sitting, Iduhu questioned Prime Minister James Marape over NEC Decision 64-2026, which approved the transfer of the equity interest from Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited into a Corridor and Equity Options SPV.

Iduhu argued that while the board structure includes representation for Hela, Southern Highlands and pipeline communities, it excludes the plant-site landowners of Hiri-Koiari in Central Province despite the LNG facility, storage tanks and marine export terminal being located on their land.

The MP said the omission contradicted constitutional principles on equitable distribution of national resources and ignored the role Central Province communities play in hosting the country’s most critical LNG infrastructure.

Under the current interim structure outlined by Iduhu, the SPV board includes rotating directors representing upstream petroleum development licence areas and pipeline communities, as well as ex-officio provincial representatives from Hela, Southern Highlands and Gulf provinces.

However, neither the Central Province Governor nor plant-site landowners have been allocated a permanent seat.