By Joy Kisselpar on PNG Edge

The Ministerial Committee appointed by the National Executive Council (NEC) last year to look into recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry into the Special Agriculture Business Lease (SABL) is yet to convene its first meeting.

The three-member committee was appointed by the prime minister when the final reports from two commissioners of the inquiry were submitted to government.

Forest Minister Patrick Pruaitch is the chairman, Agriculture Minister Tommy Tomscoll as deputy and Lands Minister Benny Allan.

Tomscoll and Allan told PNG Edge the committee had not met since their appointment and were not sure when a meeting will be held.

Allan says he is still waiting for a meeting to be called to discuss the recommendations, now before the government. He says last week NEC discussed the issue of SABL and the committee was instructed to fast track discussions on the recommendations.

Landowners and logging companies, meanwhile, are waiting for outcomes and action.