By GEORGINA MICHAEL
The Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC) has wrapped up the final regional validation for the proposed Oil Palm Management Bill 2025 and Oil Palm Authority Bill 2025 in Kimbe, West New Britain, closing a nationwide consultation across PNG’s oil palm provinces.
The Kimbe meeting was the fourth and final validation forum, following earlier programs in Lae, Port Moresby, and Kokopo.
Milling companies and growers used the forum to support the bills while calling for a “win‑win” framework that benefits government, millers, and smallholder growers.
OPIC’s technical team outlined key changes made to the draft bills based on feedback from earlier consultations. The session gave growers, millers, and association leaders a chance to raise final concerns on pricing formulas, landowner benefits, levy transparency, accountability in the OPIC council, and the need for better roads and services to support the industry.
Representatives from New Britain Oil Palm and Hargy Oil Palm Limited backed the legislation but urged government to balance the interests of all stakeholders.
Hargy Oil Palm general manager Craig Gibsone said: “There are three major stake holders that we need to make sure they benefit fairly and equally, the small holders, millers and the government, hence there has to be review on the pricing formula payout ratio of 70:30. We need a bill that works for everyone.”
Oil Palm Minister Francis Galia Manake thanked milling companies for sustaining the industry and acknowledged growers, OPIC staff, and government agencies for their role in the drafting process.
With regional consultations now complete, OPIC said the next step is to incorporate comments and concerns before submitting the bills to the First Legislative Council for approval, ahead of presentation to Parliament.