Logging landowners to be empowered under the revised Forest Act

A review on the Forest Act is now before the National Executive Council, says Forest Minister Douglas Tomuriesa.

“On expiry date of a TRP (Timber Right Purchase) project, a review must be done and the concession returns to the landowners, which we have captured in the revised Act,” Tomuriesa said.

He was responding to questions by Middle Fly MP Roy Biyama in Parliament yesterday on why logging permits, held by foreign companies, are still owned by them after it expires.    

Tomuriesa said TRP logging projects are unlike Forest Management Areas (FMA) or Forest Clearing Authority (FCA) permits, where when the permit expires, the concession to extend the permit returns to the landowners. 

 “We have realised that landowners have little say of TRP projects, unlike FCAs and FMAs. So there is a revised Act that is before NEC which takes into account all issues raised by MPs (on the floor of Parliament).”

 

Author: 
Charles Yapumi