By PMIZ Watcher

The signing of the Approval in Principle for the controversial Pacific Marine Industrial Park in Madang has been held in Port Moresby despite being scheduled to be held in Madang.

The move has angered local Kananam people who say it is just one more example of the government hiding behind secret deals.

Environment Minister, Benny Allan, officiated at the signing ceremony in Port Moresby last week. He had earlier announced the signing would be held at the Madang Resort hotel. He has not offered any explanation for the change in venue.

Local people say they have not been properly consulted about the PMIZ project which will see up to 10 new tuna processing plants being build around their communities.

Local people say they have seen the social and environmental impacts of the existing RD Tuna cannery and are very worried for their future.

They also say the land on which the PMIZ will be built has been stolen from them by the government and RD Tuna.

Local MP, Ken Fairweather, has commenced legal proceedings, challenging the PMIZ project, but Allan says the signing of the Approval In Principle means construction work can now begin and an Environmental Permit will be granted by his Department.