Companies back SABL probe

TWO companies have pledged their support for an ongoing investigation into special agriculture business leases (SABLs) in the Pomio district and reiterated that their oil palm project in the area had followed due process.
Gilford Ltd and Memalo Holdings Ltd, a landowner umbrella company, also hope that the commission of inquiry will develop recommendations to ensure that all SABL recipients and forest clearance authorities follow procedures.
The two equal partners said in a joint statement yesterday that as part of the required process, they had also prepared development plans for the landowners within the Pomata-Ralopal concession areas.
They said an environment impact study was done and was available for public viewing from May 29 to June 26 in 2009.
They said they had permission to operate in Ralopal which is in Block 2 but had not started operations because of ongoing disputes among some landowners.
Pomata is in Block 1 and about 800ha have been cleared, for a camp site, nursery and other purposes.
The companies said the Forest Clearance Authority (FCA 15-07) was issued on Oct 7 last year for a period of four years and that clearance was being carried out in according with the schedule.
They also gave an assurance that all other requirements under the PNG Forest Association’s planning, monitoring and control procedures for natural forest logging were being complied with.
“Royalties are being paid to individual landowners as stipulated by the government,” the statement said.
“The rates are grouped into seven categories according to species, ranging from K10 to K35 per cubic metre.”
The payments are based on log harvest volumes.
Under the arrangement, Gilford pays to the PNGFA which then distributes the payment to the landowners.
The statement said levies were also paid to the local-level government according to an agreement signed between Gilford and Pomata Investments Ltd, which is a subsidiary of Memalo Holdings.
In addition, Gilford pays land rent to Pomata Investments.
Gilford and Memalo said the oil palm project would bring much-needed jobs and income to the people of Pomio.
Basic infrastructure would also be built for the benefit of the people, they said.
The three-member commission visited Pomio during the weekend and commenced hearing in Kokopo on Tuesday.