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DPM Sir Terepai Maoate has issued a statement in response to the claims made by Opposition MP’s regarding the Manganese Resource Advisory Committee.
Sir Terepai stated that it is unfortunate Opposition MP’s Tom Marsters and Nandi Glassie have lost sight of the role of the Committee and used it as a platform for party politicking. He has raised his concerns over the matter with Prime Minister Jim Marurai.
“While still on the Committee they made unsubstantiated claims about the Committee, from not receiving information to the tasks the Committee has undertaken. I agree that this issue is too important for politicking, which is exactly what they are doing, so it is probably just as well they have removed themselves from the Committee to allow members to carry on their work without distraction and political interference.”
“They are also lobbying for the Committee to recommend to Cabinet that the Government enter into a binding agreement with Canadian company, Endeavour, to be given an exclusive license to a portion of the Cook Islands’ EEZ,” says Sir Terepai.
The Committee has been given advice by Dr Jan Markussen, a senior director of leading Norwegian oceans and seabed independent research organisation Ocean Futures. The advice states; “I do not know of any project in any country where the national state has benefited from selling the ownership rights. By having control of developments, the country is able to maximise profit – and use the money to the benefit of its people.”
That advice has been reflected by other international organisations, including the World Bank.
Sir Terepai stressed expressions of interest in the development of the country’s seabed resource would not invited until such time as all necessary steps to protect the interests of the Cook Islands people and the resource have been completed. This is being done now.
Glassie also claimed Sir Terepai had insisted in assuming chairmanship of meetings when Chairman Terepai Maoate Jnr is absent. This is untrue. Sir Terepai merely offered to chair meetings in the absence of the chairman, if the Committee wanted him to. This has been recorded in minutes of the meeting.
Meanwhile, Sir Terepai said the Opposition MP’s had not made any significant contribution to the Committee and had in their possession much needed draft mining bills which they had failed to make available to the Committee as members. Important documentation relating to the seabed resource had been removed from the Office of the Prime Minister in the late 90’s after a change of government.
Sir Terepai said he believed the Opposition had been more destructive than constructive.
“If they really wanted to contribute constructively to the Committee they would not have resigned, but stayed onboard to make positive recommendations, for the good of our country and people.”
“Here are two MP’s saying so very much publicly, but yet so little of any value. The unjustified attack my family is indicative of the level their arguments have descended to. ”
Although the Opposition MP’s claim a representative from Endeavour is visiting soon, the company has yet to advise the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Committee of this intention and to request any meetings.
Source: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister |
