The Role and Function of the National Offshore Minerals Committee

The Role and Function of the NOMC
in PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
6th Regional Training Workshop on DSM Policy Formulation and Legislative Drafting
Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, Apia, Samoa
20th May 2015
WINTERFORD EKO
Acting Director
Mineral Policy & Legislation Division
Department of Mineral Policy & Geohazards Management
Content
Introduction and Background.
The Process in setting up the NOMC.
What activities have been implemented as
a result of the NOMC.
Benefits and Challenges.
What we hope to achieve as a result of the
NOMC.
Introduction & Background
PNG has maintained the name National
Offshore Minerals Committee (NOMC).
NOMC is within the Department of Mineral
Policy
&
Geohazards
Management
(DMPGM) as the PNG DSM Project Focal
Point.
NOMC reports to the DSM Focal Point.
NOMC assists with the implementation of
DSM Activities (PNG/Regional).
Process in Setting up NOMC
Existing structure of Department of Foreign Affairs &
Trade as the SPC Focal Point and DMPGM and MRA
as the mandated government entities responsible for
mining in PNG.
 DFAT – SPC Focal Point.
 DMPGM – DSM Project Focal Point/responsible for
review and development of mining policies and
laws.
 MRA – responsible implementing and regulating the
mining policies and laws.
NOMC (cont...)
NOMC plays a coordinating role that involves:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
DMPGM - Chairman
DFAT - Deputy Chairman
MRA - Committee Member
DJAG (State Solicitor) - Committee Member
CELCOR (NGO/Civil Society Representative) – Committee
Member.
NOMC has yet to meet in 2015 but conducted ad hoc in
the interim.
DMPGM spearheads discussions and monitors planned
activities to ensure they are carried out.
What activities have been
implemented or planned
Activities that have been carried out to date;
2013 PNG National DSM Project Consultation.
DSM Video Project and awareness/consultations in
Namatanai, New Ireland Province.
Marine Scientific Data Study with JICA.
Cost Benefit Analysis for DSM Project (Solwara 1).
Approval of PNG interns.
Workshops and Trainings.
Cont...
2015-2016 Planned activities and timelines.
 DSM Project video (Solwara 1 Project).
 Secondary Schools Debate (Solwara 1 Project/deep sea
minerals project in the Pacific Islands region).
 Awareness and information dissemination on the
developed Offshore Mining Policy and revised Mining Act
and the other Pacific Island States regarding the deep sea
minerals project and policy and legislative development.
Focus to give PNG national perspective and the regional
focus with regard to the DSM Project objectives.
Cont...
 Secondment at the DSM Project in 2015.
 policy and legal officers.
 environment officer.
 Secondment at the ISA.
 Attendance and participation at the 2015 ISA Annual
Session.
 Capacity building (domestic and international).
 PNG to host the DSM Project in March 2016.
Challenges
Capacity building through exposure in DSM
Workshops and Trainings.
PNG National Government Directives driven by
the Department (DSM Project Focal Point).
Capacity Building (technical up-skilling - policy
and legal) for long term focus and/or
sustainability.
Funding shortfalls (counter funding from the
PNG Government and SPC DSM Project).
LONG TERM FOCUS
 Hope to Achieve:
Capacity building in achieving the goals and
objectives of the DSM Project at a national level and
contributing effectively at the regional level (Pacific).
NOMC and the DSM Project is only sustainable
through capacity building.
NOMC falls within the ambit of the Mining Ministry
and DMPGM will oversee this into the future.