PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA)

The United Nation’s General Assembly recognized the World International Day of Forest in March 21, 2012.

Acting Director of Forest Policy and Planning Margret Tango explained that the main reason was for the world to celebrate and raise awareness on the importance of sound forest management of all forest types.

PNGFA Managing Director John Mosoro said, “The cooperative agreement paves the way for PNGFA to champion towards securing land for reforestation and afforestation efforts which is to plant trees on the grasslands of our country.”

Mosoro said the agreement includes vital provisions for TotalEnergies Limited to provide extensive support to PNGFA particularly in the areas of training and energy efficiency to get the tree plantations up.

The full tuition fee is K8430.00 per student this year.

Chief Operating Officer of the National Forest Service (NFS) Magdalene Maihua who delivered the cheque to TFTC said, “The presentation of this token of assistance from PNGFA today is a very special occasion because I believe it is the start of something great yet to come.

“It is a show of what PNGFA would do in the near future for its commitment towards enhancing training and development through the three main institutions that train foresters and technical forestry students.”

Under PNGFA’s new Corporate Plan 2021-2030, new provincial offices have been opened in Manus, Vanimo and Wewak. The opening was officiated by Managing Director of the National Forest Services (NFS) John Mosoro and Member for Wewak, Kevin Isifu.

The building is named in recognition of Wewak district’s first Forester, Andrew Yawiap.

“We’ve started building an office for Kimbe and are now looking as New Ireland province,” said Mosoro.

The Managing Director stated that all Forestry office building wills be renovated including staff houses.

This includes Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), Climate Change Development Authority (CCDA) and the private sector in the advancement of carbon trading and issuance of associated permitting. 

“This progress was made while ensuring the local manufacturing industry in the carbon constrained world evolving, factors PNG’s own industries have a platform to be competitive. 

The PNGFA said they have given consent prior to any such permit issuance and is a start of a process where these carbon projects will require ongoing consultations and consent at the village level and internationally recognised accreditation.

One of the developers PNGFA has been liaising with is Mayur Renewables and with its International Carbon development network are progressing a pilot program with Forestry whilst following CCDA regulation that seeks to be accredited by VERRA as a Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) project. 

PNGFA and JICA signed a Record of Discussion of a new forest project titled ‘Capacity Development project for reducing carbon emissions from forest degradation through commercial logging in PNG’.

Commencing from the first quarter of 2022, the project will be implemented for three years beginning at the arrival of a Japanese expert.

JICA Chief Representative, Masato Koinuma, said that at the recent COP26 summit in the UK, resolutions were passed that require efforts made to limit the increase in the global average temperature to 1.5 degree celsius.

This is according to PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) Forestry Area manager, Jerry Kowin, during a recent visit to the province.

He said that currently, the two major economic activities that put money into the pocket of locals are through agriculture and forestry projects.

“However, agriculture is only practiced in the northern part of the Island, while forestry is almost every part of the island,” said Mr Kowin.

“We have been the largest exporter of round logs for the last 40 to 50 years, and we still are.”

Forests Minister, Walter Schnaubelt said PNGFA used its small development funds to purchase 15 Concentrators units, which are being distributed to the districts that have been selected by the Health Department to be potential hot spot for outbreak.

Member for Sinasina Yongomugl, Kerenga Kua was present to receive the donations from the Authority, which have been approved by the Department of Health.

He thanked Minister Schnaubelt the PNG Forest Board Chairman, Keith Iduhu and management for the oxygen concentrators.

Minister Schnaubelt said the policy shift in the engagement with the National Forest Service (NFS) staff and management ensure that he signs any Export Permits for round log export upon written advise from the appropriate division within forest first, and based on whether all arrears are up to date and satisfactory.

He said this had made a huge impact in the way the PNGFA collect outstanding royalties and levies today.

“PNGFA through this policy shift I imposed, have collected around K20m of outstanding in just seven months in office.