PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, April 21, 2008) – The Opposition and the Catholic Bishops Conference yesterday put the Government under more spotlight over the proposed dumping of tailings from the Ramu Nickel Project into Basamuk Bay in Madang.

Opposition Shadow Fisheries Minister, Sam Basil, issued a statement calling on the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to state his position on the dumping of the tailings from the Ramu project into Basamuk Bay.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops of Papua New Guinea issued a separate statement saying they joined the increasing number of other groups and individuals calling for a review of the environmental issues involving the Ramu Nickel Project.

The Bishops Conference said the submarine tailings disposal plan must not be allowed to go ahead.

Mr Basil, who is Bulolo MP, said two ministers of Sir Michael?s own cabinet, the Minister for Fisheries Ben Semri and the Minister for Environment and Conservation Benny Allen, have already expressed their opposition to the dumping of the waste into the bay during Grievance Debate in Parliament recently.

Mr Basil said the Somare-led Government had also ignored opposition from the National Fisheries Authority to the dumping of the waste from the mine into the bay.

Mr Basil added the NFA position was clear on the threat to marine life from the tailings dumping into Basamuk Bay.

He warned any pollution of the bay could have serious repercussions for PNG tuna exports to European countries as provided under the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.

Early this year, Sir Michael refused to meet with the head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG, Bishop Wesley Kigasung to accept a petition on the environmental impact of the mine on the marine life in Madang.

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