Source: PNGexposed blog

The headlines and reporting over the SABL announcement by the Prime Minister have been very misleading. Despite what you might have read or heard:

• The government has NOT cancelled the 77 SABL leases referred to the Commission of Inquiry for investigation
• The government has NOT cancelled all the SABL leases found by the Commission of Inquiry to have been illegally issued
• The government has NOT restored 5.2 million hectares of land to its customary owners.
• The government has done NOTHING to stop the ongoing illegal logging in SABL areas.

The Prime Minister and the media have misled the people of PNG and as always, the devil is in the details.

This is what NEC has actually determined:

• 28 SABL leases recommended by two Commissioners to be revoked will be revoked – at some unspecified time in the future
• A further 10 leases will be either surrendered, suspended or reviewed – at some unspecified time in the future
• 5 leases found to be valid will continue
• 31 SABL leases that were not reported on by the Commissioners and investigated by Alois Jerewai will be further reviewed by a Task Force to be set up inside the highly corrupt PNG Forest Authority and funded with a grant a K3 million.

Of the 13 SABL where logging is currently ongoing only 3 are recommended to be revoked (see below) and for none of the areas has any instruction been issued to stop logging

West Sepik

REVOKED: Bewani Forest Products Limited. Bewani Portion 160C, FCA 10-03, amount stolen in 12 months K23,968,848

REVOKED: Vanimo Jaya Limited, Aitape West Portion 248C, FCA 10-02, amount stolen in 12 months K4,921,479

Westenders Limited, Madedua Ext Mengen, FCA 10-03, amount stolen in 12 months K1,024,585

Jambo Trak Limited, Schotiuhu Cocoa Estate, FCA 10-04, amount stolen in 12 months K14,701,076

East Sepik

REVOKED: Brilliant Investment Limited (Star Avenue), Marienberg (Anogram), FCA 11-02, amount stolen in 12 months K12,554,368

Summit Agriculture Limited, Wewak Turubu, FCA 11-01, amount stolen in 12 months K25,016,573

East New Britain

Cakara Alam Limited (Tzen Niugini), Illi Waswas FCA, 15-02, amount stolen in 12 months K11,630,578

Kerawara Limited (KK Connections) Toria Head Waters, FCA 15-04, amount stolen in 12 months K1,148,365

Rimbunan Hijau Limited (Gilford) Sigite Mukus, FCA 15-07, amount stolen in 12 months K28,429,919

Tian Suyn Limited, Suikol-Makolkol FCA, 15-05, amount stolen in 12 months K10,993,849

New Ireland

Joinland, Umbukal, FCA 16-02 / 16-62 / 16-63, amount stolen in 12 months K18,318,037

Oro

Matufi Limited, Tufi Wanigela, amount stolen in 12 months K1,536,000

West New Britain

Westenders Limited, Lolobao, FCA 14-01, amount stolen in 12 months K13,971,019