By Merilyn Diau-Katam, EM TV News, Port Moresby
Forest Minister, Douglas Tomuriesa, responded to Governor Gary Juffa’s statement in one of the dailies claiming that there is illegal logging in Papua New Guinea.
The Minister said, “Before making accusations and false claims, people especially governing heads, must not raise environment issues if there is no hard evidence.”
In the case of logging in Oro, members from the Prime Minister’s Department, Labour & Employment, MVIL, Immigration, CEPA and Lands Department travelled to Oro to survey the sight.
The end report stated that there is no illegal logging in Oro Province.
Meanwhile, the shutdown of Waera Base Camp in Yama Giepa, was due to environmental concerns issued by the Environment Director.
The Environmental Protection Order, states the company had breached the Environment Act 2000 by failing to apply for an environment permit prior to expanding the logging operation to include operations at the Waera Base camp.
“Local governments must support the work of the Forest Authority and the Investors, they build infrastructure like roads and bridges that the government cannot afford,” said Minister Douglas Tomuriesa.
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