A Concerning Forestry Development in Papua New Guinea

A recent development in Western Province has raised eyebrows, with Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TI PNG) expressing concerns over the lack of due diligence and transparency surrounding a large-scale forestry project. The Australian-led scheme is estimated to cost 4.8 billion kina and involves building 600 kilometres of roads, while also taking a small amount of forestry along the routes.

The Lack of Transparency

TI PNG spokesperson Peter Aitsi has stated that the group’s initial review of the project raised several red flags, primarily regarding its viability and the lack of transparency. “We’ve got this Australian company, that did get called an Italian company, that’s behind this, and has links to a somewhat discredited company from sometime earlier that seemed to have a very similar idea,” Aitsi said.

According to Aitsi, the government’s endorsement of the project without proper due diligence or consideration of its environmental impact, societal impact, and monetary value is a concerning trend. “Our political leaders have, in a way, given their support to this project in what appears to be without any real due diligence or proper consideration around the environmental impact, the societal impact, but also just the monetary and income value to PNG.”

The Broader Concern

TI PNG’s concerns are part of a broader issue with governance in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The organization has been working to rebuild trust in government institutions, including the Electoral Commission, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and the Ombudsman Commission. “Our work is really to try and support and rebuild these government and state institutions that are there to serve the purposes of our communities,” said Aitsi.

Don Wiseman, also from TI PNG, noted that the project’s Australian company has links to a discredited company from earlier, which raises questions about the project’s legitimacy. “I think it’s a case here that our elected leaders, our political leaders, should have done proper due diligence on this group,” Wiseman said.

Re-educating Leaders and Citizens

Wiseman acknowledged that changing people’s mindset and re-educating them about ethics and morals would take time. “It’s going to take years and years and years to re-educate people about ethics and morals and so on,” he said.

Aitsi disagreed, stating that the work of organizations like TI PNG is focused on supporting and rebuilding government institutions. “So that’s really where the focus is, and underlying all that is the work we’re doing through our schools in introducing civic education or supporting civic education so that we are trying to get an understanding of the role of citizens within our within our younger generation, as they take on their place in our society.”

Conclusion

The recent forestry development in Papua New Guinea has raised concerns about transparency and governance. TI PNG’s efforts to rebuild trust in government institutions highlight the need for civic education and awareness. While progress may be slow, the organization’s work shows that there is a desire for change among younger generations. As the country moves forward, it is essential to prioritize transparency and accountability in decision-making processes.

It remains to be seen whether the government will take adequate measures to address these concerns and ensure that future projects are conducted with due diligence and transparency. One thing is clear, however: TI PNG’s efforts will continue to play a crucial role in promoting good governance and civic education in Papua New Guinea.