MEMBER for Goroka, Aiye Tambua, has raised concerns in Parliament regarding a forestry plantation project covering parts of Goroka, Ungai Bena, and parts of Chuave districts in the Eastern Highlands Province.
During Question Time, Tambua directed a supplementary question to the Forest Minister, Salio Waipo, seeking clarity on the government’s plans for the plantation, which he said was established more than 30 years ago.
Tambua told Parliament that the forestry plantation was originally initiated by former Forest Minister and then Member for Ialibu-Pangia, Pundia Kange, as part of a reforestation effort in the Highlands region.
However, Tambua explained that over the years the trees planted under the project have occupied a vast area of customary land, limiting local landowners’ access to their land for subsistence farming and other agricultural activities that sustain rural livelihoods.
“The forestry plantation was established thirty years ago by then Forest Minister and former Ialibu-Pangia MP Pundia Kange. The trees planted there now occupy a massive landmass belonging to our people in Eastern Highlands, and this has restricted many locals from accessing their land for subsistence farming and wider agricultural activities,” Tambua told Parliament.
According to Tambua, many landowners in parts of Goroka, Ungai Bena, and Chuave have expressed concerns because they have not received any tangible benefits from the plantation since its establishment.
“For many years the landowners have not benefited anything from this plantation, and currently there are no visible forestry activities happening there,” he said.
Tambua therefore asked the Forest Minister to explain the current status of the project and outline whether the National Government or the Department of Forestry has any development, harvesting, or expansion plans for the plantation.
In response, Minister Waipo acknowledged the concerns raised by the Goroka MP and described the question as an “eye-opener” that warrants further review.
“I thank the Honourable Member for Goroka for raising this important matter. It is indeed an eye-opener and I will consult with the Department of Forestry to obtain detailed information regarding the plantation,” Waipo said.
Minister Waipo informed Parliament that he will consult closely with the Papua New Guinea Forest Authority and relevant officials within the Department of Forestry to obtain detailed information on the project before providing a comprehensive response.
He also took the opportunity to acknowledge the work of past forestry ministers who had contributed to reforestation initiatives across the Highlands region, including parts of Eastern Highlands and Chuave.
“I also thank my predecessors and former ministers who have continued the work of reforestation throughout Eastern Highlands and Chuave,” he said.
Waipo further thanked the customary landowners for allocating large portions of their land to support forestry and reforestation activities over the years.
The minister concluded by commending the government’s commitment to reforestation under the James Marape–Rosso Government.
“Trees play a significant role in the production of fresh air for our country and also help hold our geography together to prevent natural disasters such as landslides. I will seek further advice from the department and respond accordingly to the Honourable Member’s query,” Minister Waipo said.