PAPUA New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) staff were told to actively implement the Logging Code of Practice (LCoP) and the Planning, Monitoring and Control Procedures (PMCP).
Managing Director for PNGFA Mr. John Mosoro said effective monitoring of logging projects in the country has diminished over the years due to various reasons, including lack of resources for the staff.
However, while opening a five-day training for his Southern region staff, on 25th September, 2023, in Port Moresby, he told the staff not to allow the constraints preventing them from implementing the LCoP and the PMCP which were the basis of the training.
Mr. Mosoro also stressed against complacency, inducement from timber companies.
“Under the leadership of Forestry Minister Salio Waipo, Board Chairperson Ms. Faith Barton and I, complacency and inducement from timber companies must be eradicated to enable the provincial forest managers, project supervisors and monitoring officers to effectively implement the revised LCoP in your line of duty,” he said.
The MD also reminded them about their powers saying: “You all have the powers under the relevant provisions of the Forestry Act 1991 to penalize and prosecute timber companies who go out of line in breach of the laws, policies, procedures and codes.”
He also stated that he would like PNGFA to regulate chainsaw and bulldozer operators and logging operations to ensure minimal impact to the environment and forests.
Meanwhile, the Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) PNG Office Mr. Hideaki Matsuoka expressed the significance of the five-day training.
“In PNG, I hear forest management and timber activities are not always taking place effectively.
“This would be because of lack of compliance and knowledge with the logging regulations and so on.
“I believe this training contributes for all of you to fully understand and effectively apply the regulations for actual sites.
“For sustainable forest management, your cooperation is highly indispensable.
“In this 5-day training, I’d like to encourage you to not only understand the regulations but also share and discuss your opinions and ideas which you have experienced from the current activities so far,” Mr. Matsuoka said.
