THE Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) is setting its sights on addressing key issues within the mining and logging sectors.
Governor General Reverend David Tiva Kapu highlighted these priorities during his Traditional Speech from the Throne, marking the opening of the 2nd Meeting of the 12th Parliament on Monday.
Reverend Kapu emphasized that the Government will focus on enhancing institutional capacity and ensuring a responsible, sustainable mining sector.
“We will strengthen the capacity of government institutions, particularly the Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification, to effectively regulate and manage the mining sector,” he said.
“This includes improving the legal, regulatory, and policy frameworks to promote sustainable mining practices.”
He outlined plans to review the legal framework to promote fair benefit-sharing arrangements, embrace environmental stewardship, and facilitate community engagement.
The goal is to balance productivity with optimizing the benefits of mineral resource exploitation while safeguarding future generations.
In addition, Governor General Kapu announced plans to improve forestry management by developing and implementing policies on forest plantation development, reforestation, and strengthening deforestation initiatives such as carbon markets and REDD+.
The Government is also reviewing the logging regulatory framework to enhance enforcement and compliance.
“A stronger enforcement and compliance system will ensure increased revenue and address areas of leakage,” he added.
“We will continue to promote and encourage downstream processing programs by implementing Sustainable Logging Policy (SLP) recommendations and enhancing timber production initiatives.”
Furthermore, several Bills are currently with the Legal Drafting Division in the Attorney General’s Chambers.
These include the:
- State-Owned Enterprises (Amendment) Bill 2024;
- Special Economic Zone Bill;
- Value Added Tax Bill 2024;
- Mineral Resources Bill 2024;
- National Building Standard Bill 2024;
- Citizenship by Investment Bill 2024;
- Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises Bill 2024;
- Public Service Bill 2024;
- Civil Registration Bill 2024;
- Forest and Timber Utilization (Amendment) Bill 2024;
- Provincial Government (Amendment) Bill 2024; and
- Immigration Bill 2024.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
