PNG Sustainable Development Program hands over assets

The PNG Sustainable Development Program (PNGSDP) has handed over its assets to the government of Western province and mine-impacted communities. The PNGSDP is no longer receiving the dividend funds that support its operations, so it faces an uncertain future. In 2013, PNG parliament legislated to transfer to itself 63.1 per cent of shares held in trust under the PNGSDP model. Experts are suggesting that PNGSDP is rightly gifting it to the communities, as according to the original design, BHP Billiton gifted its shares after the exit to PNGSDP in order to avoid political interference. The institutional capacity of the Western Provincial government to continue important PNGSDP development projects, though, is weak.

This article was written by

Frida Bani-Sam

Frida initially joined PiPP under the research internship programme. She continues to support the ongoing development of communication activities and maintaining our website. Outside of PiPP, she is deputy-chair of the board of Youth Challenge Vanuatu.

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