Manetoali: I did it for my people
By ANDREW FANASIA
FORESTRY minister Samuel Manetoali has defended his decision to exempt a logging operation in his constituency, which he is a party to, from going through the process of Timber Rights Hearing.
Timber Rights Hearing, under the Forest Resources and Timber Utilisation Act, is a prerequisite for any logging operations.
But the Minister for Forestry and Research has the power to grant exemptions in certain circumstances to by-pass the process.
In March this year, Mr Manetoali used that power to exempt SKT Wasawan (SI) Limited Company from passing through that process, allowing the loggers to land their machineries at the Mafara concession area in Tatamba, Gao-Bugoto Constituency, immediately.
Mr Manetoali is the MP for Gao-Bugotu.
His decision to sign and gazette the exemption notice on 28 March 2018 has been sharply criticised, with some labelling it a “conflict of interest”.
According to a source, a Timber Rights hearing was scheduled for 4 May 2018.
“But we were surprised SKT Wasawan arrived with its machineries well ahead of the date of the Timber Rights hearing and started clearing its log pond at Mafara,” the source said.
“As such, I am of the opinion that there is already evidence of conflict of interest by minister Manetoali,” the source added.
“I am also seeking legal clarification why the minister has to sign an exemption notice for a logging operation that he was a party to.”
The source said a complaint was also lodged to the Leadership Code Commission (LCC) about the minister’s action.
LCC chairman Solomon Kalu last week told the Solomon Star he would not comment on the case at this stage.
The source further stated they will challenge Mr Manetoali’s exemption notice in court to determine its legality, and whether the minister has abused his powers when he signed the exemption notice.
But speaking to the Solomon Star yesterday, Mr Manetoali said the exemption notice he signed was made in the interest of his people.
He said he has already declared his name to the Leadership Code Commissioner (LCC) as one of the landowners representing his tribe in the logging operation.
“The LCC has cleared my name and know that my decision to grant the exemption notice is in the best interest of the people in my constituency and has nothing to do with conflict of interest as stated by some people.
“In 2013, the then Lilo government earmarked Tatamba to be one of the Economic Growth Centres (EGC) in the country.
“But due to limited space, all the landowners in and around Tatamba agreed to extend the area for the much awaited development.
“This is why as minister; I granted the exemption notice for clear felling to allow the land for further development in my constituency for my people.
“I am calling on those people who are questioning my action to challenge my decision in the High Court for a judicial review, if they so wish,” Mr Manetoali said.
According to the exemption notice, trees in the area described in the map in the schedule will be felled for the purposes of clearing land, road work, housing project, business centre, tourism development and industrial site.
The exemption notice also stated that trees felled will be exported.
