Logging project in Bougainville set to start

THE prolonged Tonolei logging project in South Bougainville is set to commence as early next month, local MP Timothy Masiu says.
Masiu announced this during a district development authority (DDA) meeting in Buin that resource developer KKCL, based in East New Britain, would mobilise and land its equipment and machinery at block two in Tonolei next month.
Masiu, who is Communication and Information Technology Minister, made the announcement when commending the Tonolei Development Corporation (TDC) landowner company for compiling and presenting a comprehensive acquittal report to the DDA on expenditure of a K50,000 district services improvement programme support to the company.
Masiu thanked the TDC landowners for agreeing to get the project going as it would be a major contributor towards the region’s revenue base, and appealed for support from the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
He said the project was delayed for two years to give landowners time to undertake social mapping exercises and register incorporated land groups.
The project area covered an estimated 42,000 hectares from block one to block seven and new areas in inland Konnou have been included in the TRP.
Masiu commended TDC chairman John Kebau for demonstrating transparency and accountability by providing an acquittal report.
He said his DDA would continue to work with and support TDC.