Source: Post Courier

The much-talked-about Nautilus mining project is a great concern for the people of New Ireland and the other island provinces.

Public concerns have been raised over the Solwara 1 project, attracting the interest of International community.

The concerned communities want to see the scientific findings and the environment impact of the mining that must be provided by the people taking lead in the project to show the local community that it will not do any harm to the sea.

They are concerned about their sea because they depend mostly on sea for their sustainance.

The community of New Ireland in Morobe, including staff and students at the University of Technology, got together in 2011 and called on the government to put a stop to the project because such mines had not operated in the world.

If they want to test it here in PNG and if it does not work out it will destroy the marine lives in the sea, the islanders said.

The president of New Ireland of Morobe (NIOM) group Gerard Songi said people in the villages are still confused because there had not done any awareness on the positive and negative impact of the project.

The Unitech students have done some and had come up with some ideas that they will provide to the government when they meet next time. They did some research last year.

Mr Songi acknowledged the national MPs who had supported them to stop the project from going ahead.

He said professional ethics and codes of conduct should be displayed when dealing with the lives of people. He also challenge Nautilus executive Mel Togolo and the company to hold a public forum and tell them the truth and not tell "lies" based on the environmental impact statement which cannot be guaranteed as conclusive by scientists.

He also challenged others who are responsible for marine lives and the lives of the people to look at the issue and address it.