Forestry Minister

About K60,000 was spent on the gardens through the sponsorship of various industry participants.

Forestry Minister Douglas Tomuriesa has a background in landscaping.

After being a Minister for the second term, he decided to put his skills into good use by changing the once bushy area of the forest authority into a blossoming garden.

Tomuriesa said his reason behind the beautification program is three-fold.

The argument stemmed from a question without notice raised by Ijivitari MP, Richard Masere, asking Tomuriesa to clarify the logging issue in the area.

When responding to questions from Richard Masere, Forestry Minister, Douglas Tomuriesa, said the project had been given the ‘green light’ with due diligent but was interrupted by the Provincial member, Gary Juffa.

“We have followed due diligence to award the logging permit and proper documents.”

Forestry Minister, Douglas Tomuriesa, said with the current situation of the economy, they must work together to ensure they participate in assisting the country.

The Minister said this should be done while ensuring the forests are looked after.

“I know the country has gone through a lot of challenges and you all know the economic situation the country is going through. But that does not stop us, as foresters, to contribute towards the recovery of this country, the economic recovery of this country.”

The Minster said this during a ceremony commemorating International Day of Forests yesterday (March 21).

Tomuriesa said conserving the country’s forests was everyone’s responsibility.

He said for too long, critics have been bad mouthing the Ministry and PNGFA that millions of hectares of the country’s forests were being destroyed, which is not true.

“And my challenge to them (critics) is stop this nonsense, get on a plane and fly down to Milne Bay. Stop this nonsense and fly into Western Province, Gulf Province and Hela… the forest is still there,” he said.