Focus set on resource owners

By SHIRLEY MAULUDU
THE Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) is committed to seeing that landowners benefit from resources on their land, board member and women representative Shelly Launa says.
Launa said this at the opening of the new Forestry office in Wewak, East Sepik, recently.
“We are committed to making sure the forestry sector gets to move and expand and see the benefits not only to the sector or the staff but the people who own the forests,” Launa said.

“In PNG we have 89 districts and 23 provinces.
“We are still a rural sector – that’s where the trees are.
“Forestry, agriculture, fisheries, tourism sectors, are sectors that generate revenue for the country.
“We know that the National Forest Services is the custodian of the forest in terms of taking care of the forest.
“But more so, landowners are the real custodians.
“Government can only extend to main towns, and provincial headquarters. But when it comes to the district and local level government, those who own the land and tress, you are the real owners of the resources.”
Launa said the Forest Authority’s corporate plan launched last year provided for the recognition and assistance of human resource, infrastructure, systems and processes.

“Once we manage resources like forestry, we will be able to help other sectors like health, education and community development,” she said. “One way employees can produce good results is when they have proper office facilities and houses as well.
“Assets, equipment, housing, office, also enable employees to do better in their respective roles.”