Source: The National

AN interim report on the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABL) will be presented to cabinet and the prime minister at the end of this month, a lawyer said. Alois Jerewai, one of the three commissioners inquiring into SABLs, said yesterday in a statement that the final report was expected to be released a few weeks after the interim report.

He said it would include the findings of the commission into individual SABLs presided over by each of the commissioners separately and added to the
interim report. The commission was appointed by the government in July last
year.

Jerewai said the NEC decision in effect had imposed a moratorium on processing and granting of all new SABLs and forest clearance authorities (FAC).  He said unless otherwise clarified by NEC, this moratorium did not prevent continuing forest clearance under FCAs granted prior to NEC decision. However, he said upon expiry or lapse of such FCAs no new FCA can be processed and issued.

Jerewai said the commission was underfunded, workload and was seriously underfunded.

“I would say this and I would repeat it again, the COI had to examine 79 individual SABLs spread over 15 provinces.

“It is like hearing 79 cases divided between three commissioners who are expected to complete these cases within six months on a budget of K8.5million.

“In comparison to the MV Rabaul Queen COI, that inquiry was tasked to inquire into only one vessel sinking involving only five locations for the inquiry, given three months and provided funding of K12.7million.”

Jerewai said among other things the SABL commission was tasked with examining the administration of SABL and FCAs and the application of the provision of other legislation to SABLs, the individual SABLs  and related approved permits or licenses to determine if all these were lawfully processed and approved.