Hans Brønlund has as chairman of the local committee in Ittoqqortoormiit sent an open letter in April to both Naalakkersuisut and the director of the two resource companies – the American oil company Greenland Energy Company, which has 3 licenses for Jameson Land, and the Canadian resource company Greenland Resources’, which has a license for Malmbjerget.
According to the chairman of the local committee, the projects do not involve the locals, who now demand respect for “fundamental rights and a fair share of the values”.
Hans Brønlund has as chairman of the local committee in Ittoqqortoormiit sent an open letter in April to both Naalakkersuisut and the director of the two resource companies – the American oil company Greenland Energy Company, which has 3 licenses for Jameson Land, and the Canadian resource company Greenland Resources’, which has a license for Malmbjerget.
According to the chairman of the local committee, the projects do not involve the locals, who now demand respect for “fundamental rights and a fair share of the values”.
“The local population has been ignored in the consultation process and no physical hearings have been held in our own language”, it continues.
Requirements for a new school and hospital
In the letter, Hans Brønlund presents a number of main demands for the future agreements between the self-government, the municipality and the companies – the so-called Impact Benefit Agreements (IBA agreements) – which he believes must include funding for a new primary school in Ittoqqortoormiit, the establishment of a local development fund with an annual amount of at least 3 million kroner and the establishment of a deep-water quay.
In addition, the water supply must be prioritized and flush toilets must be established in all houses. Funding must also be found for a new hospital, an elderly collective and an indoor boat workshop.
Finally, local citizens must have preferential rights to jobs and access to the mineral companies’ doctors and dentists.
A flurry of questions for Naalakkersuisut
The letter from Hans Brønlund has recently been followed up by a flurry of questions for Naalakkersuisut from member of Inatsisartut for Naleraq, Mette Arqe-Hammeken.
She asks, among other things, the advantages and disadvantages of possible oil exploration and extraction in Jameson Land, requirements for clean-up, closure and re-establishment of the area, as well as whether Naalakkersuisut can stop the oil project if it turns out that it has serious consequences for the country, nature or the local population.
Naalakkersuisoq: Local communities must be heard
Naalakkersuisoq for foreign affairs, business and raw materials, Mute B. Egede, has not yet answered Mette Arqe-Hammeken’s §37 question, but writes in a current press release that he takes the concerns that have been raised – including the need for better infrastructure, increased local value creation and stronger involvement – very seriously.
“I would like to acknowledge the great commitment that the citizens of Ittoqqortoormiit have shown in connection with the citizens’ meeting. It is crucial for Naalakkersuisut that local communities are heard and involved in the development of raw material projects that have a direct impact on everyday life.”
Projects in early stages
In addition, Múte B. Egede points out that both Greenland Resources’ project in Malmbjerget and Greenland Energy’s oil exploration in Jameson Land are still in early stages, where the reports for assessments of effects on the environment (EIA) and society (VSB) have not yet been sent for public consultation. And that no decision has been taken on the upcoming IBA agreements between the self-government, the municipality and the company, which deal with how the projects should benefit the local community.
“The input that the citizens of Ittoqqortoormiit have already given will be included in Naalakkersuisut’s further work,” says Múte B. Egede.
Important environmental assessment
In addition, Nalakkersuisoq for Environment, Nature, Energy and Research, Jørgen Rosbach, states that all cases are processed according to current rules and established processes.
“In Jameson Land, an environmental assessment must be carried out as part of the planning of exploratory drilling. This is because the area has a special nature and is environmentally vulnerable. The process includes, among other things, an assessment of the project, a public consultation, collection of the consultation comments received as well as the studies and professional assessments that are necessary to shed light on the project’s possible consequences for the environment,” writes Jørgen Rosbach.
The media Danwatch is current in Ittoqqortoormiit and writes, among other things, that the oil company Greenland Energy Company has called for a citizens’ meeting on Wednesday at 19.30.
