The National Forest Board together with the Management and staff of the Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) farewelled its longest serving Board member Jacob Areman on Monday.
Mr Areman has been attending board meetings as the alternate member representing the Department of National Planning and Monitoring for the last 13 years.
He is leaving to take up his new role as the West Sepik Provincial Administrator.
PNGFA Managing Director John Mosoro described Mr. Areman as a consistent and punctual Board member who was strong and unique in the sense that he often was the power breaker in decision making.
Mr Mosoro elaborated that there were instances when the Board discussed issues that were difficult to resolve. However, Mr. Areman would explain how the issue fitted into the government plans or not, enabling Board to resolve the issue at hand.
MD Mosoro added that Mr Areman was the first board member he confided in initially regarding the establishment of PNGFA’s business arm PNG Diwai Holdings Ltd (PNGDHL) and was very supportive and moved a motion for its establishment with Community representative on the Board Steven Yanopa seconding the motion for the PNGDHL to be set up.
“Mr Areman’s departure from the Board leaves a huge vacuum and I hope his replacement will bring similar qualities to support the Board to progress its work,” Mr Mosoro said.
In response, Mr Areman said that he sees the Board and PNGFA as family, hence he made a commitment that when he officially takes up his appointment in West Sepik as the Provincial Administrator, his priority will be to establish the PNGDHL office in the province.
presenting a gift on behalf of the Board and PNGFA to
Mr. Areman.Photos: PNGFA Media & Information Branch.
“I give you my guarantee that once I take up my post as the new West Sepik Provincial Administrator, my priority will be to establish the PNGDHL office in the province,” he said.
“I am leaving, but I will be in West Sepik Province, a forestry province and home of Kwila.
“I can go as a happy man because during my term on the Board, we approved the establishment of the PNGDHL, which will contribute immensely to the betterment of resource owners as well as to ensure the continuation of the sustainable forestry sector,” Mr. Areman said.
The representative of the Forest Industry Association on the Board, Kanawi Pouru, acknowledged Mr. Areman’s long service to the National Forest Board and wished him well in his new position.