Work at LNG PNG Hangs in the Balance

From NBC News 3/11/2011


Work at the P-N-G L-N-G project in the Hela region hangs in the balance, as trucking firms who supply the project site, stand down for a third day.


Some 85 trucks have been stood down in Lae and Mt Hagen, over security and related issues as Exxon Mobili, its contractors, and subcontractors count their loses.

By yesterday afternoon, Trans Wonderworld Limited, who has around 40 contracted trucks said they were still waiting for an answer from the government, further describing its monetary loses as substantial.

T-W-L had written to Belden Namah, as acting prime minister then, seeking imposition of a state of emergency, and a permanent police presence between Mt Hagen and the project site, due to lawlessness along the highway.

A taskforce comprising key government agencies and project proponents, was to have convened to look into the issue, however, it is yet to get off the ground.

T-W-L's managing director, Larry Andagali told the media yesterday, trucking companies have had it, and will continue standing down until the government responds.