Group supports project

 WOMEN and youth representatives in Lassul Baining, East New Britain, are giving  their support to an agriculture integrated development project in their area.
During a recent public hearing for the Dengnenge timber resource project at Mandrabit Community School, Darusila Tokaina said the women wanted the project to start immediately.
She said women wanted to see positive changes and they were confident that the project would bring benefits and improve the livelihoods of rural families.
Another women’s leader, Agatha Morris said, women selling their produce were not earning much but, with the introduction of the project, the women will be able to earn more income from the sale of their produce due to road access and availability of markets.
A youth spokesman, Andrew Mavao said all youths were in support because the project would create income earning opportunities and boost the economy of Gazelle district and the province.
Deputy provincial administrator for policy, planning and evaluation, Wilson Matava said the provincial administration was working on a policy to enable resource owners to participate in developing their resource under arrangements similar to the SABL concept.
Acting deputy secretary for policy and planning with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Francis Daink, explained the differences under the SABL concept and the FMA and FCA.
He said under the SABL concept, the resource owners gave away their land under lease arrangements while under the FCA process, land remained with the resource owners.
Gazelle district administrator, Ronald Midi said the public hearing was part of the requirements to be fulfilled before final approval was given to the project by the National Government.