FORESTRY Commissioner, Reeves Moveni has clarified accusation made against the Ministry by claimed Chief of Rennell, Newman Nikamatu’a Tegheta.

Chief Tegheta accused the Ministry for failing to oversee Oceania Trading Company (OTC) timber-right hearing; stating that it is a breach of the Forestry Act in allowing a third party timber right hearing.

Commissioner Moveni said according to records at the Ministry, the point raised by the Chief is a non-issue and that is why the Ministry endorsed OTC application.

He confirms previously, there was timber-right hearing held on that same land by a different applicant.

It did go through the timber-right hearing process and the Renbel Provincial Executive made timber rights determination in favour of the applicant.

However, 13 people appealed that determination, on which Customary Land Appeal Court (CLAC) considered and made a decision to set aside that timber-rights determination made by the Renbel Provincial Executive then, he said.

It is on this decision, that the Ministry, knowing through its records on the land of concern is clear, endorsed Oceania Trading Company (OTC), explains the Commissioner.

Commissioner Moveni then emphasises that landowners and the public must understand that the Ministry for Forestry and Research is only facilitating all these processes.

He explains, it’s the landowners that submit applications or gave consent to applicants to apply for felling licence.

Once a timber right hearing organised by the Provincial Executive is completed and no appeal is made to Customary Land Appeal Court (CLAC) against the timber right determination, the Clerk to CLAC advises the Ministry of no appeal and the submission is given back to the Ministry to follow suit the process till the issuance of logging licence.

Thus, the onus to giving the rightful consent for logging operations to proceed on their land rests with the landowners at the first place, said Moveni.

He also urges landowners with differences to ensure settle their grievances before going into such development plans.

“This must be taken hind of, most times this is the reason for arising issues,” said the Commissioner.

–MOFR PRESS