By Evah Kuson*
The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) officially opened their investigations into the Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SPABL) yesterday (8/08/2011) with presiding Chief Commissioner John Numapo with Messrs Alois Jerewai and Nicholas Mirou.
Acting Council assisting the Commission, Mr Tusais gave a progress report of the relevant government agencies involved in the inquiry. The stated agencies include Government Printing Office (GPO), Investment Promotion Authority (IPA), Department of Lands and Physical Planning (DLPP), and Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA).
GPO is responsible of meeting all administrative and secretarial needs of the CoI. IPA also gave their support to the inquiry and will be tasked to provide particulars of the SABLs issued and will provide information(s) on registration of companies and businesses operating under SABL. Department of Lands and Physical Planning have also pledged to provide the inquiry with SABL files and other pertinent lands information that will be used as evidence in the enquiry. PNGFA Managing Director Kanawi Pouri have arranged and set up a team within PNGFA to aid the Inquiry on information of Forest Clearing issuance.
On the contrary, the Departm.ent of Environment and Conservation( DEC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are two government departments that are yet to come good with their response on their stand whether or not they will support the inquiry.
Chief Commissioner Numapo has hinted to the CoI that there is a need to expand the inquiry into looking outside the 74 SABLS under the inquiry. Other concerned members and parties have expressed their concern to include also their SABLs to be enquired and Numapo has asked for special arrangements to be made so that all these concerned parties must be included.
On Administrative matters of the CoI, Council assisting the commissioner Davis Stevens has resigned and the Commission has appointed Simon Ketang in his place.
The inquiry has been adjourned to Wednesday 10th August at 1.30pm in order for Mr Ketang to be briefed on the status of the inquiry.
* ACT NOW! Special Correspondent covering the CoI hearing
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I wonder if the enquiry will ever look into Marienberg SAPBL in
I wonder if the enquiry will ever look into Marienberg SAPBL in Angoram in the East Sepik, as the current state of affairs appears to be more of a plain logging operation under the pretext of SAPBL. Further to this, there are other outstanding land issues which the landowner company has shown relectance to
sort out through formal mediation processes. There are indications of the landowner company acting in a biased manner, more toward protecting the interest of the logger than the resource owners. This has raised concerns within the community at large. It would be for the best interest of the people and the country as a whole if this particular SAPBL comes under the scrutiny of the SAPBL Commission of Enquiry as well.