Deal signed to conserve, rehabilitate mangroves

THE Papua LNG Mangrove Conservation and Rehabilitation Programme started its expansion phase following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited, Motukea International Terminal (MIT) and PNG Ports Corporation Limited yesterday.
The MoU was signed by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. South Pacific Limited (ICTSI) chief executive officer Robert Maxwell, PNG Ports Corporation Limited chief executive officer Neil Papenfus, and TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited acting managing director Arnaud Berthet.
According to Berthet, the occasion marked an important phase of expansion of the mangrove conservation and rehabilitation programme.
“This commitment aims at rehabilitating degraded and disturbed mangrove sites in the Fairfax Harbour, Caution Bay and areas in the National Capital District (NCD),” Berthet said.
“PNG Ports and MIT have long operated within Fairfax Harbour and with respect to PNG Ports around the country, we are happy to support our partners with a supply of mangrove seedlings and technical support to enhance, rehabilitate and conserve mangrove ecosystems within our operating communities.”
Maxwell acknowledged the presence of NCD governor Powes Parkop and Motu-Koitabu Assembly manager Mari Kila at the signing of the MoU.
He said that mangroves played a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change.
“Mangroves are vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, protect against coastal erosion and storm surges,” Maxwell said.
“They are highly effective in carbon sequestration, extracting five times more carbon from the atmosphere than trees on land, incorporating it in their leaves, branches, roots and the sediments in the water beneath them.”
Maxwell said through this partnership, they affirmed MIT’s commitment to preserving and restoring these invaluable ecosystems.
“Our collaboration with PNG Ports Corporation and TotalEnergies underscores the power of collective action in addressing environmental challenges by leveraging our expertise, resources and networks.
“There is a need to conserve and protect mangroves, especially with the rising tides and erosion becoming common along PNG coastlines,”Maxwell said.
Parkop acknowledged the three organisations for signing the MoU and commended TotalEnergies EP PNG for its leadership in the programme.
“I think we are not doing enough to sustain our environment,” he said.
“The planting of mangrove seedlings will help minimise the effects of climate change.”