Opic review vital for growth: Exec

**Participants during the consultation on the review of the Oil Palm Industry Corporation Act of 1992 in Port Moresby last Friday. – Nationalpics by KENNEDY BANI**

By PETER ESILA
THE purpose of the review of the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (Opic) Act of 1992 is to promote and develop the industry in the country, an official says.
Opic acting chairman Stuart Tatauro said this in Port Moresby last Friday during the consultation on the review.

New Britain Palm Oil Limited country manager and PNG Palm Oil Producers Association chairman Robert Nilkare speaking during the consultation on the review of the Oil Palm Industry Corporation Act of 1992 in Port Moresby last Friday.

He said the review was supposed to be done in 2014, however the then Opic board which they were part of, had opposed it.
He added that the Government’s agenda now was for the Opic Act to be reviewed in order to address rising issues in the industry.
“The purpose of this review is to promote and develop the oil palm industry of PNG, also to develop national objective policies and priorities for the development and administration of the Oil Palm industry in PNG,” Tatauro said.

**An oil palm fruit bunch at Malasi near Bialla town, Talasea district, West New Britain, in January. – Nationalpic by PETER ESILA**

“Some of the present issues are opening and freeing up customary land through the proper process for sustainable oil palm development, other issues are lack of a pricing formula, social issues, exploitation of indigenous Papua New Guineans and many more.”
He acknowledged Prime Minister James Marape and thanked Minister for Agriculture and Livestock John Simon for taking the lead in ensuring the review was being done.

Hargy Oil Palms Limited outgoing general manager David Mather (left) with Kavieng Growers Association chairman Bruno Malazimba during the consultation on the review of the Oil Palm Industry Corporation Act of 1992 in Port Moresby last Friday.

“I believe that the time is right for the review, and if not now, then when will we review this Act, and if not us, then who will review this Act, let us take back PNG,” he said.
Many stakeholders supported the review but urged Opic to present the terms of reference for thorough discussions of the review.
Opic hosted the consultation review in Kimbe and Port Moresby last week which saw major stakeholders attend including New Britain Palm Oil Ltd, Hargy Oil Palms Ltd, growers association representatives, Oipc officials and officers from relevant government departments.