Forestry officials ignoring PNG law
Greg Roberts; 23/4/08
Papua New Guinea has admitted its forestry sector is riddled with corruption as a high-powered delegation of Australian frontbenchers arrives in the country for talks that will focus on deforestation. Nine Rudd government ministers and parliamentary secretaries will front the first PNG-Australia Ministerial Forum since 2005, in Madang, PNG’s second city, with the new forest carbon partnership between the two nations the main topic for discussion. The parties are expected to reach an agreement to protect the Kokoda Track at today’s forum in what will be billed as recognition of the sacrifices made by Australian Diggers during World War II in PNG in the lead-up to Anzac Day. In the first admission of its kind by a PNG Government, the country’s new Forest Minister, Belden Namah, has told the PNG parliament in Port Moresby that logging companies routinely flout laws with the help of corrupt officials.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23584521-5013404,00.html
Tags: Corruption, Environment, Kokoda, PNG