COL reveals approval for Gizo’s Mile 6 logging operation given three years ago, says whatever happens thereafter is a matter for WPG to decide
THE forestry plantation located at Mile Six in Gizo, Western Province, has been given the ‘Grant of Profit for Logging’ approval by the Land Board to conduct timber felling and milling three years ago.
This was revealed by the Commissioner of Lands Alan McNeil in an exclusive interview with the Solomon Star yesterday following concerns and questions raised by the Non-Executive Members of the Western Provincial Assembly and the Gizo public this week.
Speaking on behalf of the executive and concerned residents of the Western Provincial Capital, the Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 10 (North Vella) Freedom Tozaka raised concern about the Asian businessman engaged in timber milling on the land Parcel 097-019-105 at Mile 6.
The Asian businessman operates a number of shops in Gizo.
The timber felling and milling operation is believed to be undertaken under an arrangement between the Western Provincial Government (WPG) and the businessman.
But confirming the approval of the timber felling and milling operation on this parcel of land, Mr McNeil explained the approval to log the ‘Lot 105’ was agreed to by the Land Board in early 2021.
The approval was given to the Western Province Investment Corporation Ltd (WPICL), he added.
So, what happens after the approval was issued is a matter for the province to deal with, the Lands Commissioner said yesterday.
“At its meeting held on 26 January 2021, the Land Board agreed to give a Grant of Profit for logging over Parcel 097-019-105 at Mile 6 Gizo to Western Province Investment Corporation Ltd.
“What Western Province does after that is a matter for the province,” he emphasized to Solomon Star.
MPA Tozaka had highlighted that neither the non-executive members, nor the public in Gizo, were kept informed about this particular land arrangement.
He said the Western Provincial Assembly was unaware of the matter during its two sittings in 2023.
MPA Tozaka emphasized the pressing need to come clean on the details of the current agreement between the WPG and the Asian businessman involved in the Mile 6 timber felling and milling operation.
He also called for transparency and accountability by the Western Provincial Government in managing provincial resources in light of the fact that some other provincial land parcels were also sold to individuals for political gain.
Past provincial governments had also indicated their interest in the Mile 6 land to be logged to clear it up for the Gizo township expansion project.
In late 2022, the former Premier Christian Mesepitu suggested that Eagon Company harvest the trees and export them to support the province’s revenue.
It is understood that the initial idea was to log the trees and clear the site before some of the proposed projects such as the establishment of the new Provincial Chamber, Correctional Service Center and other government complexes and services are established there.
Mile Six has been earmarked as a new site for the expansion of the Gizo township.
Current Premier Billy Veo had earlier told Solomon Star that his government is serious about developing Mile Six soon to avoid illegal squatters occupying the land.
He said illegal squatting on government land is on the rise and one way for the government to contain this problem is to develop the land.
“With the increasing rate of illegal squatters on government land, one way to control it is for the government to move in and develop this government-owned land,” he said mid last year.
The Western Provincial Government is also taking steps to demarcate all land in Gizo and Noro that are owned by the government.
By MOFFAT MAMU
Solomon Star, Gizo
