WA government says Oakajee project still a go with Mitsubishi
The Western Australian government confirmed on Wednesday that it has initiated communications with Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan to clear out circulating stories that the Japanese firm is abandoning its role on the Oakajee Port and Rail project.
The giant Japanese conglomerate is currently tied-up in a 50 percent joint venture with Murchison Metals Ltd (ASX: MMX) to develop the Oakajee project yet fresh talks of a walk away by Mitsubishi seemed to have snagged the advancement of the partnership.
Earlier this week, Murchison downplayed the alleged meltdown of its collaboration with Mitsubishi as it stressed in a released statement that inquiries made by the Australian company yielded no substantial proof on the alleged cold feet developed by the Japanese firm on the Oakajee project.
Murchison Metals categorically denied a possible split and declared that both companies remain committed in pushing through with the Oakajee development project.
WA Premier Colin Barnett said that despite the nagging rumours, his government is confident that the project would proceed as planned, adding that inquiries made by his office had revealed that Mitsubishi is steadfastly committed with the Oakajee project and talks of its exit were unsubstantiated.
Mr Barnett further explained that project itself is complicated though he assured that the state government is "pushing ahead and the Commonwealth Government has agreed to match state funding so we expect to see the port and rail developed."
However, WA opposition spokesman for State Development Mark McGowan was left wondering why it was necessary for Mr Barnett to get in touch with Mitsubishi on the matter just to allay fears of a project meltdown on the Oakajee development.
Mr McGowan said that he was puzzled by the Premier's initiatives, as if the million-dollars of taxpayers money earmarked for the project weren't enough that his office had to "release all the information around this project so the public can have full confidence that this project is safe."