Court puts oil palm project on hold

The National National

PEOPLE of Inland Baining in the Gazelle district of East New Britain have obtained a court order restraining one of the largest oil palm development companies in the province from developing their land.
Justice Terrence Higgins handed down the court’s decision at the Kokopo National Court on Monday.
The ex parte order was obtained by lawyer Hubert Namani, of Namani and Associates, on behalf of applicants – Mathias Sambatka, Allan Aua, Eddi Kapinis, Ande and Vincent Slaibot, Timo, Jobas Pius, Ambros Gaga, Wilfred Ambros, Moses Joshua, Joel Dukduk, Peter Petro, Eric Yandu and Joseph Loks – seeking preservation of property orders from the court.
The ex parte order restrain Bruno Warkia, as chairman of Lamus Incorporated Land Group, Lamus ILG, Tzen Niugini Ltd their members, agents and employees from conducting any eviction, destruction of property, oil palm planting on their native land.
The Portion 910C, Milinch Pondo, Fourmil Rabaul, ENB covers Mandras, Rangulit, Kulit and Wara Pukpuk in the inland Baining LLG which had allegedly undergone property destruction and damage, assault of people, including threats and intimidation and the death of one person.
Other orders issued by the court were that:

  • Wirkia, Lamus ILG and Tzen Niugini Ltd stop harassing, intimidating and interfering with the appellants, their families and settlers within portion 910C;
  • Tzen Niugini remove all its machinery and employees from Portion 910C;
  • Respondents may apply;
  • Local and national government and companies at every stage of the supply chain work together to foster an environment of transparency and a dedication to not just forest preservation but sustainability on a much broader scale.