The government must act to stop the ongoing abuse of agricultural clearing permits which are being used as a cover for large-scale selective logging.
Forest Clearing Authorities are being routinely misused to facilitate large-scale illegal and unsustainable logging. They are supposed to be used to authorise the clearing of small discrete areas of forest for agriculture planting but this concession type is now responsible for the largest share of PNG’s log exports, according to government statistics.
The Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) is calling on it’s membership in the mainstream media sector of the country, to increase their coverage of environmental issues, to look past the developmental benefits of our natural resources and also shine light on government entities charged with the responsibility as gatekeepers of our country’s natural resources.
The Malaysian owned Giant Kingdom group of companies, which is logging Papua New Guinea’s besieged tropical forests, has failed in an unprecedented bid to silence public comment on the money laundering risks associated with its chequered activities.
The timber industry in Papua New Guinea is beset with corruption, political interference, and widespread illegal practices across the sector, according to a report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
As a priority area of action, Transparency International Chairman and Community Coalition Against Corruption (CCAC) co-Chair, Mr Peter Aitsi emphasized on the matter of greater accountability of public funds distributed through District Services Improvement Program Funding (DSIP) and Public Procurement.
Round of applause to the Ombudsman Commission (OC) for taking the step in ensuring Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of all District Development Authorities (DDAs) are well equipped with the knowledge to manage the District Services Improvement Program (DSIPs) Funding. Not only that, but they have been informed by OC that they are subject to the leadership code just like MPs, government secretaries and those public servants subject to the leadership code. They are required to produce annual returns and most importantly ensure the smooth and transparent expenditure of DDA funds.
Last year, the Department of Implementation and rural Development expressed the concern at the lack of transparency in the Provincial and District Service Improvement Program.
