Model of Development

Appalling lack of transparency as majority of Districts fail to submit financial acquittals

On 24 Sep, 2024 By ACTNOW

While the government has been dramatically increasing the amount of funding pumped directly into each District, there is an appalling lack of transparency about how those public funds are being used.

As of July 2024, analysis of media reporting by community advocacy group ACT NOW reveals just 24 out of 96 Districts have lodged their financial acquittals for 2022 or 2023 and none of those acquittals are publicly available. This is despite each District now being given K20 million a year in service and infrastructure improvement grants.

PNG leaders struggle to monitor deep-sea mining activities

On 23 Sep, 2024 By ACTNOW

PSB News Hour, 19 Sept 2024

Locals concerned over deep-sea mining’s impact

On 19 Sep, 2024 By ACTNOW

PBS News Hour - 18 Sept 2024

Central Cement Project threatening lives and livelihoods

On 22 Jul, 2024 By ACTNOW

Video: 'No Limestone' is the chant as young people protest against the proposed commercial limestone and cement project on their island.

Lack of District Plans Undermining Quality of Local Health and Education Services

On 04 Jul, 2024 By ACTNOW

A lack of proper planning at the District level is a critical failure that is undermining the delivery of quality health and education services across Papua New Guinea.

Research by community advocacy organization ACT NOW has revealed that two-years on from the last national election, just one quarter or 25% of Districts have published a five-year development plan for 2023-27.

“Good planning is essential for the delivery of quality services,” says ACT NOW Information Coordinator Cathy Tukne.

Another classic FCA abuse: The Woodlark Island logging scandal

On 12 Jun, 2024 By ACTNOW

Three recent case studies published by ACT NOW, Ten Years Without A Crop, A New Forest Grab, and Where is the Beef? illustrate how logging companies use false or inflated claims of agriculture planting to obtain Forest Clearing Authorities which are then used as c

Research Case Studies Reveals Abuse of Forest Clearing Authority License

On 05 Jun, 2024 By Cathy Tukne

A Forest Clearance Authority license is a type of logging licence issued by Papua New Guinea Forest Authority, based on the recommendation of the PNG Forest Management Committee with the consent of the National Forest Board that allows individuals or companies for large scale conversion of a specific areas of forest to agriculture or other land use activities.

Where's the Beef? The Wasu Cattle Farm Project

On 29 May, 2024 By Cathy Tukne

The Wasu Cattle Farm Project in Morobe Province has been the subject of investigation due to concerns about its legality. This project, also known as the Wasu Integrated Agriculture Project, received a Forest Clearing Authority (FCA) in 2019. It was ostensibly granted for a cattle farming project, but there have been no signs of either cattle or agriculture.

Govt goes off track in MTDP IV log export targets

On 21 May, 2024 By ACTNOW

The Marape Government is not on track to meet it’s log export reduction goals as outlined in the Medium Term Development Plan IV.

In 2022, the Government announced a ban on all round log exports in the next 3 to 5 years, with the intention to increase local downstream processing to promote greater employment, increase GDP and boost government revenues.

The log export data shows an export of 2.2million cubic meters in 2023.

Govt off track in meeting MTDP IV log export targets

On 21 May, 2024 By ACTNOW

The Marape Government is not on track to meet it’s log export reduction goals as outlined in the Medium Term Development Plan IV.

The log export data shows an export of 2.2million cubic meters in 2023.

This is well over the full year target set in the MTDP IV of 1.695 million cubic meters.

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