Oil palm project in order

 MALUM NALU in Kokopo 

NEW Ireland businessman Walter Schaubelt says all proper procedures have been followed in setting up the K430 million Konoagil oil palm project in Namatanai. 

He said this at the second project launching at Semalu village on West Coast Namatanai last week.

The first launching was done on the East Coast last Tuesday by Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch, while the second on Friday was done by Higher Education Minister Malakai Tabar. 

Schaubelt said this included the integrated land group registration for 42 groups who were listed as landowners and agriculture, environment and forest permits. 

It is currently in the process of obtaining its roundtable on sustainable palm oil (RSPO) certification.

“I want all of you landowners to know that your ILGs have already been processed,” he said.

“We are just waiting for the ILG manager to come here and finish the process.”

Schnaubelt said the ILGs would come under landowner company Konoagil Agri Development Ltd (KADL), which together with its foreign development partner, Million Plus Corporation Ltd, would oversee the initial project operations.

“We must stand together and work together with the developer for a long time, and not for a short time,” he said.

“Someone will not come and help you develop the land if it’s only for a short time.”

Schnaubelt said a public-private partnership such as the one with the Konoagil project was the way to go, given the lack of Government support to this remote part of New Ireland.

He promised the people better services such as an international-class hospital and school if they supported the project.

“Don’t sit down and wait for the Government,” Schnaubelt said.

“We must do things ourselves.

“If we support this PPP concept, we will see development come to our villages.”

Schnaubelt said he had worked hard against all odds, including scepticism from critics, over more than two years to make the project a reality.

“We have followed all processes to make the project a reality,” he said.