By WASITA ROYAL
The National Government is moving to introduce new laws designed to finally resolve the long-standing disputes and bring clear rules to the industry.
This push followed the final national consultation workshop held last week in Kokopo on two proposed bills: the Oil Palm Industry Management Bill and the Oil Palm Industry Authority Bill.
Minister for Oil Palm HON. FRANCIS MANEKE, said;The proposed legislative framework will establish clear rules for pricing, commercial arrangements, structured mechanisms for disputes and resolution… and reduce political intervention and that the industry has operated without a proper regulatory framework for years, leading to conflicts over pricing, profit-sharing, and landowner benefits.
He added that the need for change is urgent and that an investigation which lasted year had revealed that East New Britain growers and landowners were underpaid by a staggering 38 million kina over a 15-year period, from 2009 to 2024.
Mr. Dominic Huranaka the ENBPA Advisor for Agriculture stated that the bills mentioned are comprehensive and will solve a lot of ENBs issues and as local leaders welcomed the move, East Pomio LLG President Rodney Simai says the price regulation will mean better benefits for growers, and the bills will also help protect forests by restricting new planting to grassland areas.
However, he stressed that ward members and community leaders must be fully informed, as they are the first point of contact when landowners face problems.
The Kokopo workshop was the last in a national series, with the bills now set to be finalized for presentation to Parliament.