Bewani oil palm project launched

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has launched a new K120 million oil palm project in Bewani, West Sepik province, that is expected to generate millions of kina for the local economy and kick-start development in the area.
The project, which has been almost 14 years in the making, saw O’Neill plant the first of thousands of oil palm trees for the Bewani Oil Palm Development Ltd project at Imbiu.
The project, covering 54,000ha, is being run by Malaysian firm Prosper Group of
Companies (PGC).
It is the biggest single large scale agro-forestry project undertaken in one of the least developed districts and is expected to have a maximum of 140,000ha planted with oil palms.
Its managing director Ti Kin Ti and a senior management team flew in from Malaysia for the launching ceremony on Tuesday.
The project, which includes construction of a bio-diesel plant, has been granted a 10-year tax holiday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah said the area had been neglected by successive governments and thanked two investors, Vanimo Forest Products and Amanab 56 Ltd, for constructing roads in the province.
He said the people of Bewani had been pursuing this project since 1997 before reaching a deal with PGC.
Under a unique arrangement, the landowners will have 15% free equity. The developer would also construct permanent houses and a sewerage system for the landowners.