Let's call Back SABL Report !

Paul Barker on Sharp Talk say's :

" SABL REPORT...: now we all heard that this report had been handed in to the PM sometime around August, so how come he's now saying (in response to a question in Parliament) that it's still being written and hopes it will be ready in the new year...? We hope those with interests in logging and grabbing other people's land, of which there seem to be quite a few in Parliament, aren't gaining the upper hand and striking deals to suppress this overdue report.... "

Source: The National

October 12th 2012

AN interim report on the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABL) will be presented to cabinet and the prime minister at the end of this month, a lawyer said. Alois Jerewai, one of the three commissioners inquiring into SABLs, said yesterday in a statement that the final report was expected to be released a few weeks after the interim report.

He said it would include the findings of the commission into individual SABLs presided over by each of the commissioners separately and added to the
interim report. The commission was appointed by the government in July last
year.

Jerewai said the NEC decision in effect had imposed a moratorium on processing and granting of all new SABLs and forest clearance authorities (FAC).  He said unless otherwise clarified by NEC, this moratorium did not prevent continuing forest clearance under FCAs granted prior to NEC decision. However, he said upon expiry or lapse of such FCAs no new FCA can be processed and issued.

Jerewai said the commission was underfunded, workload and was seriously underfunded.

“I would say this and I would repeat it again, the COI had to examine 79 individual SABLs spread over 15 provinces.

“It is like hearing 79 cases divided between three commissioners who are expected to complete these cases within six months on a budget of K8.5million.

“In comparison to the MV Rabaul Queen COI, that inquiry was tasked to inquire into only one vessel sinking involving only five locations for the inquiry, given three months and provided funding of K12.7million.”

Jerewai said among other things the SABL commission was tasked with examining the administration of SABL and FCAs and the application of the provision of other legislation to SABLs, the individual SABLs  and related approved permits or licenses to determine if all these were lawfully processed and approved.

Tapu N Herod on FB Sharp Talk Say's: Interesting how the Opposition seems somewhat mute on the SABL Issue...Yet they seem so happy to back O'Neil when he wants to extend the 18 months grace period to 30 month, Certain members of the present Opposition were very influential in the former O'Neil / Namah Govt. I suspect O'Neil will keep the SABL Report very close to him to have the most leverage and ensure he gets some crucial Bills passed without much resistance from Namah and the current Opposition...although stranger things have happened in PNG Politics.

Peter Flaki Onikre say's: O'Niel maybe is still calculating the risk associate with tabling n making public the findings of the report. He would be more comfortable after having the amended bill passed so that his post as pm is not under any threat. Olsem tok blong tok.

 

 

Sopa Caleb Als Say's: Looks like the Report is going to nab MPs from both sides. Peter Flaki Onikre put it well, looks like ,the delay is due to risk calculation. To fast-track the tabling, I suggest journos do some 'probing'! Let the 'rotten apples' cancel themselves out!

 

Act Now For A better PNG ,  

I think this issue should be taken up by Blogger's and Journalist with immediate effect . And  follow up on this and inform PNG