This article breaks down some of the myths used to justify the privatisation of customary land and makes clear that efforts to privatise land are not about development but about profits for corporations, financial institutions and already wealthy people.
Loop PNG
The Popondetta District Court has issued court orders on companies operating in the Musa Foru area, from carrying out any logging activity.
Governor for Oro Gary Ju a has applauded the move, saying Musa Century Limited and Musa Valley Management have been prevented from logging activities including the shipment of logs from the area for a period of 90 days, until issues pertaining to the concerns of the landowners are addressed.
Map showing the location of the Kamlapar Carbon Credit Project
Landowners in New Ireland claim a US based company is illegally selling carbon credits on the international market that it has obtained by fraud. The landowners have written to the government and the international company that is verifying the carbon credits to try and stop the sale.
Papua New Guinea’s Internal Revenue Commission says the logging industry is “one of the most delinquent sectors insofar as tax compliance is concerned“.
The logging companies are guilty of “egregious” transfer pricing, “entrenched” tax evasion and “deceptive behaviour” says the IRC (see the full IRC statements below).
The value and importance of customary land in supporting the lives and livelihoods of most Papua New Guinean’s is being celebrated in a new television advertising campaign launched by ACT NOW!
An arieal view of forest clearance for oil palm planting in West Pomio
By Paul Pavol
The people of West Pomio in East New Britain Province lost most of their land and forest under the controversial, government-backed, Special Agriculture Business Lease scheme.