A concern person from Rennell, Jim Sevesi has outspokenly called on the people and provincial government to rethink on logging and proposed mining development on the island.
He made the call citing numerous interests shown by logging and mining companies on harvesting the decades of untouched resources.
Sevesi said whilst the ongoing logging and propose mining for Rennell could set the prospect of the province having established an economy where it has been lacking.
This could also trigger at the end result a newly formed picture of the province on the long run that may have to rely on revenue extracted from other bigger provinces resources in the near future, he said.
“It has been an uncomfortable situation for the province, knowing it receives substantial subventions or grants from the central government whilst it is known to contribute less or nothing at all to the country’s economy.
“This had been a joke expressed against the province,” he said.
Sevesi added whilst the ongoing logging and the proposed mining is at hand, there’s been mixed reactions though the onus is on resource owners.
It is understood that two logging companies, Pacific Crest and Samlimsan are already on the island and a mining company, Asia Pacific Investment and Development Limited (APID) proposing to mine bauxite.
A second mining firm, Bintang Borneo Mining of Indonesia, is also on its way to claim a share of the island’s mineral resources.
By Bradford Theonomi
