By Meriba Tulo – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Landowners from the Collingwood Bay area of Northern Province have secured an important court victory against a logging company operating in the area.
Northern Governor Gary Juffa announced the decision, which was handed down on Thursday, June 14.
The National Court had found that the company in question had abused Court process by filing multiple court cases at the District, National, and Supreme Court Simultaneously.
As a result, the landowners have indicated that they will be seeking justice, with several government agencies put on notice for their roles in facilitating illegal logging activities in the Collingwood Bay area.
A happy Northern Governor Gary Juffa announced on June 18 the National Court Decision, which he said now paves the way for landowners in Collingwood Bay, to seek redress for illegal logging activities in the area.
According to Governor Juffa, the Company in question, Northern Forest Products Ltd, had abused processes in attaining a Forest Clearance.
Authority, which had been facilitated by officers from various Government Agencies, including the PNG Forest Authority.
According to Governor Juffa, as a result of the Court’s ruling, the Resource Owners have now indicated that they will commence proceedings against agencies found to have abused processes in granting this FCA in Collingwood Bay.
