9 Feb 2010

Construction works for PNG LNG project move at a snail's pace a problem

12:12 pm on 9 February 2010

Construction works for the Papua New Guinea LNG project are moving at a snail's pace a problem with alcohol and drugs takes its toll.

According to the Post Courier newspaper Chairman of the Hiwa Tuguba Hides Association Tuguyawini Libe Parindali says construction work for the proposed Komo international airport and at Hides had been suspended indefinitely.

He says the operator of the project, Esso Highlands Limited made the call as workers were being frequently threatened by people under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

The Komo airport is being built to fly in equipment for the Hides gas plants for the PNG LNG Project.

Mr Parindali says it's calls to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol in the Southern Highlands Province have fallen on deaf ears, adding that if they're not careful, they'll lose the LNG project.