The Prime Ministers failure to implement the SABL Commission of Inquiry recommendations and revoke the unlawful SABL leases and stop the illegal logging has again been put into the spotlight, this time by a new report on illegal logging in PNG from the influential Chatham House group in the United Kingdom.

In the report, released last month, the Chatham House group confirms illegal logging is a huge problem in PNG and it is being fueled by corruption and the SABL land grab. 

The report says of the SABLs, which cover more than 5 million hectares forest: 

"more than 90% were obtained through fraudulent or corrupt means. The commissioners uncovered ‘widespread abuse, fraud, lack of coordination and incompetence’ in the issuance of SABL licenses. Legal requirements were ‘deliberately breached and proper processes either by-passed or simply ignored’.

This new report only emphasize the failure of the Prime Minister O'Neill to take action over the SABL land grab.

The Chatham House report recommends the PNG government should take urgent action on the findings of the Commission of Inquiry, including canceling all SABLs and associated Forest Clearance Authorities found to have been issued illegally or in unsuitable areas.

The Prime Minister received the Commission recommendations last June but has done nothing since despite demands he revoke the unlawful leases, return the land to the rightful owners and stop the illegal logging.

The Chatham House report on illegal logging in PNG forms part of a wider international study by the group on the indictors of illegal logging and related trade issues.