Activists are doing what our govt is not

 PNG Forest Industries Association (PNGFIA) executive officer Bob Tate stated that some donors support activists  to halt forestry in the country rather than raising living standards (The National, Feb 6). 

He named Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Transparency International as the foreign aid  donors  supporting them. 

His comments were based on a report by US-based Oakland Institute in collaboration with Greenpeace, which  claimed  that  most  of the  commercial  logging  in  PNG  was illegal. 

Firstly, the named organisations are reputable and widely-known to help local people live in harmony with  nature through sustainable management of forests and the environment. 

For some of them, their campaign to stop commercial forestry and illegal logging in PNG goes back some years in light of the plight faced by forest-owning  communities from the logging operations. 

Some of them have focused their attack on logging companies that have been accused of corruption and being protected by political patronage, illegal logging and for wrecking the environment. 

The accusations of the  damage  they have done are clearly evident in places like Vanimo, Wewak, Manus, Kimbe, Western   and  Madang, where  commercial  logging takes place. 

Coupled with another massive reduction  of  forests  under the Special Agricultural Business Leases (SABLs) around the country 24 hours, seven days a week, one could imagine the intensity at which our natural forests are being depleted. 

This is already a mess created by responsible forestry agencies failing to execute their duties well, hence, the disadvantaged forest communities are experiencing the plight of such so-called commercial logging and SABLs on their land. 

Having seen this, these organisations and activists are here not to halt forestry, but  to  ensure that due governance and processes are followed as well  as  to  ensure that our forests are sustainably managed. 

They see that the brunt will fall on the people of PNG when we pretend that we are okay. 

Issues  of compliance, governance, and  ill-treatment  of workers in commercial logging is evident everywhere. 

The question is what the PNGFIA and other responsible government agencies are doing to address them. 

It is about time we maintain our grounds and rise up, appreciate the efforts of other organisations – like Greenpeace, WWF and Transparency International – deal with corruption  and  promote  forest management  for  the  long-term  benefit   of   this country.

These groups spend millions from money raised voluntarily, through donations, goodwill presentations and charitable organisations.

Their roles should have been the government’s or government agencies’ work. 

Samson Kupale

Port Moresby