BY BEN BILUA
GIZO
FAR East Resource Company Limited has come under heavy criticisms for failing to meet some of the landowners demands.
This was following a meeting held early this month at Binaboli in Honiara.
Report reaching Island Sun states that the Far East Mining Company continues to downplay landowners demand for land negotiations and other required process.
According to the report, Far East administration is only interested in fast tracking the process to mine nickel at San Jorge Island.
Report states landowners are not convinced and unable to trust the company to make a good investment and good return for both the landowners and the country.
“This is a question that my tribe continues to ask. We have seen mining investors come and go in our land but from observation, Far East is not the suitable company that we want to partner with in the development.
“This company not only downplay our proposals but double down on series of attempts trying to obtain our consent without regarding our interest.
“I’m happy that my tribe have determined that we will not sign the Surface Access Right Agreement,” one of the landowners who wants to remain anonymous for his safety said.
At the Binaboli meeting, one of the landowners expressed his frustration accusing the San Jorge Island landowners Association of trying to sell the people’s resources at a very cheap price.
Allan Tavake, who owns part of the land at San Jorge was disappointed when Far East gave his tribe only SBD3,000.00 for consultation and negotiation before signing of the SARA.
According to Tavake, SBD3,000.00 is not enough for the job given that expenses to bring the tribes together and to feed the people supersedes the amount.
Tavake alleged that this is not the first time that the company has put less priority on landowners demands above their interest.
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