Group: Set SABL date

COMMUNITY advocacy group ACT NOW says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s must set a date for the completion of investigations on Special Agricultural and Business Lease (SABL).
The group said it disagreed with O’Neill’s announcement that investigations into SABLs would not have a set deadline.
ACT NOW programme manager Effrey Dademo said: “We commend the prime minister for informing the nation of the status of the probe into abuses of large portions of customary land throughout PNG without compliance and due process.
“But the prime minister must give a date when the probe will be completed and a final report presented to the people of this country.”
She said the Commission of Inquiry was a great move on the part of the government but it still lacked transparency and accountability as there was no official report of the inquiry.
“Forest Clearance Licencpes issued under this flawed process remain effective and allow logging on stolen land to continue indefinitely.
“If the people of Papua New Guinea are to believe that the prime minister is serious in ensuring good governance in all sectors, a deadline for the completion of the inquiry and tabling of a report will be an excellent indicator,” Dademo said.