Confusion over forestry meet venue

National, Normal
Source:

By GABRIEL FITO

FOREST resource owners from the East Sepik and Sandaun provinces are disappointed by the last minute venue change from Wewak to Madang for the climate change and REDD roadshow.
The week-long regional workshop, which started on Monday, was confirmed for Wewak but because of a breakdown in communication between organisers in Wewak and the PNG eco forestry forum last week, there was a last-minute change of venue, frustrating Sepik participants.
Turubu Eco Forestry executive director Gabriel Mollok told The National yesterday that more than 200 resource owners from the two provinces had confirmed attendance in the Divine Word University St Benedict’s campus.
However, many who were unaware of the sudden change of location turned up in Wewak on Monday morning to find that the workshop was convening in Madang.
This sparked mixed reactions among resource owners who are now protesting for the forum to arrange a provincial workshop for them in Wewak because of the very high interest.
Mr Mollok also supported the resource owners’ call for a provincial workshop, adding that none of the participants travelled to Madang for the workshop.
“Therefore, it is important that a road show for resource owners of East Sepik and Sandaun provinces be conducted before June so that they learn how to deal with climate change and REED in their respective village settings,” he said.