Mining Wardens And SNR Legal Counsel Receive Mediation Training
Four Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) Mining Wardens (MW) and a Senior Legal Counsel, yesterday received Certificates of Competency, after completing a seven-days Basic Mediation Skills Training (BMST) earlier this year.
The four wardens including the Chief Mining Warden (CMW) plus the Counsel
are:
- Ovi Patrick – CMW
- Kopi Wapa – MW
- Asi Sando – MW
- Herman Kromnong – MW
- Emmanuel Korua – Senior Legal Council
The training was delivered by the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre of the National Courts, and the Papua New Guinea Center for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE), under the National Mediation Accreditation Standards (NMAS).
Mr Patrick said the successful completion of the competency criteria by the officers, was a testament to the authority’s capability and integrity in regulating the mining sector and addressing issues over the years.
The training provided critical mediation skills-sets to manage disputes better, specifically in relation to compensation and benefits negotiations between parties.
Mr Patrick explained that the current trend was that parties take disputes to courts, prolonging the process, when in-fact their issues can be settled through the ADR process, in a win-win outcomes between parties.
Assistant Registrar of ADR at the National Court, Jean Kila Kalamo, who was present at the presentation of the certificates, told the recipients that she was confident, that the course had helped them develop basic conflict resolution and mediation tools. She said the course modules and contents were dictated by the PNG ADR rules and current international standards. These standards provide the foundational qualification towards becoming an accredited mediator both in PNG and internationally.
The ADR Training Facilitator and Mediator Andrew Kwimberi, said the skills that the wardens had acquired maybe basic, but they (skills) are a powerful tool in managing disputes in early stages. He said many a-times disputes arise because of misunderstanding, ignorance, lack of effective communication and incorrect information during the early stages of disputes, indicating that the use of ADR skills was the way forward in such situations…
To view more download a PDF