Firm urges landowners to cooperate in projects

 THE Rimbunan Hijau (RH) Group of companies has urged landowners to cooperate with the company for the successful completion of its projects on their land. 

“RH has been here for about 25 years. We are a serious and committed investor,” executive director Ivan Lu said.

“Besides that, we are responsible for our shareholders to ensure a return on their investments.

“We are mindful of social responsibilities for the benefit of landowners, locals and employees.”

Lu said RH had 8500 employees in the country and was considered one of the biggest employers with investments in the hotel industry, oil palm and retailing.

He said the Wawoi-Guavi Timber Rights Purchase project had been in existence for more than 20 years even before RH took over.

“Benefits to all stakeholders are very substantial. We have created close to 2000 jobs in the logging operation especially through the sawmill and plywood mill at Panakawa.

“We have shipyards and other buildings repaired creating a lot more employment opportunities for the landowners.

“Due to population increase, we are putting in more facilities.”

Lu said landowners were taking RH’s existence in their areas for granted and expecting the company to do everything.

“Landowners are actually taking us for granted that we have to do everything for them,” he said. 

“Anyway we have been doing as much as possible in medical, shipping, flying service, merchandise of goods and services within the Panakawa and Kamusie areas of Western.

“The Wawoi-Guavi project is very important for us and we will be there for a long time. We hope the landowners through their respective landowner companies will cooperate with us to deliver what we have promised in the reviews.”