From Post Courier

Trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru says the Sepik oil palm project will go ahead despite opposition by certain landowner groups in the Sepik plains.

Mr Maru said the project has the backing of a large majority of the people and that the paid advertisements by a minority faction has sparked out cries by local people on the ground.

By Catherine Wilson and Inter Press Agency

Photo: Customary land tenure underpins subsistence and smallholder agricultural livelihoods for many Pacific Islanders. Credit: Catherine Wilson/IPS.

A new 30-second radio advert is being broadcast in Papua New Guinea this week as part of the campaign against the SABL land grab.

The advert calls on Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to implement the Commission of Inquiry recommendastions and revoke the unlawful SABL leases and stop the illegal logging. 

The advert is being broadcast on the popular Nau FM and Yumi FM stations and also on Legends FM.

President of Lovongai Local Level Government, Hon. John Aini has welcomed the court challenge by people and organisations who have taken him to court.  He is adamant the court case against him will be watered and justice for his people and land will prevail.

From The National

From Post Courier

An environmental conservationist from East New Britain has suggested that the highly controversial special agriculture business leases (SABL) should be abolished and replaced with special economic leases for specifically prescribed food crop farming, animal husbandry and other non logging commercial projects.

Pacific Plywood Sees Higher Profit In 2013

From RTT News

Pacific Plywood Holdings Limited said that consolidated net profit for the year ended 31 December 2013 may increase as compared with the year ended 31 December in 2012...

By Jessy Pendene for Radio Australia

Photo: Ol land owner long PNG ibin protes agensim SABL (Credit: ABC) 

Nathan Matbob

Illegal logging activities continue to squander PNG natural rainforests as Prime Minister O’Neill sits on the SABL issue. It has been more than 3 weeks since the Prime Minister made an attempt on the SABL Inquiry recommendations. To date, no action has been taken by the ministerial team appointed to act on the inquiry’s recommendation.

The Department of Lands is one of the most corrupt government Departments in PNG.  It has been slammed by the SABL Commission of Inquiry for its role in facilitating a huge illegal land grab. Yet Minister Benny Allen is urging people to register their land with his corrupt officials...

Lands Minister urges landowners to cash in

By Freddy Mou - PNG Edge