Minister refutes claims of illegal logging

Source: Post Courier

The Minister for Forests Douglas Tomuriesa MP in a press conference on yesterday refuted claims of illegal logging in Oro Province as claimed by the Governor for Oro Province Gary Juffa MP.

The Minister for Forests stressed that he does not condone illegal logging and will direct the PNGFA to apply the full force of the Forestry Act and its accompanying regulations in any instance of illegal logging if proven.

“Governor Juffa or anyone else with claims of illegal logging must provide ample evidence of illegality which the PNGFA will need to verify before the Authority can deal with any such illegality,” said Minister Tomuriesa.

“The PNGFA conducts thorough checks on each and every allegation of illegality and never hesitates to impose penalties including fines and even cancellation of a permit if the allegations are substantiated and is warranted on a case by case basis.”

The Minister said he supports the current suspension of the Yema Gaiapa timber operations in Oro Province along the Morobe provincial border by the Prime Minister acting as Minister for Environment on environment considerations due to breaches of the environmental regulations by the project developer.

The Minister noted that the suspension has nothing to do with breach of the forestry regulations.

The Minister would also like to correct the perception that logging on SABLs are illegal.  The Minister emphasized that the National Forest Board only grants a FCA for logging on SABL if the SABL had been issued by the Department of Lands and Physical Planning and after the agricultural development component had been verified and recommended by the Department of Agriculture & Livestock.

“Until and unless the SABL has been revoked by the DLPP or cancelled by a Court of Law any FCA issued to such SABL remains valid and is legal.”

Minister Tomuriesa reminded leaders who openly question the operations of foreign investors in PNG to be careful of what they say because such comments can lead to disharmony in the communities and can also scare away potential investors that provide employment and income for Papua New Guineans.

“I challenge the Governor and those who negatively attacked development of forests to provide alternative employment and income sources for the people.”

The Minister said it must be remembered that 90 percent of all timber permits granted are held by the resource owners who also nominate and recommend the developers for their resources.