Round log inspection inquiry

Two Government agencies have been summoned to attend the Special Parliamentary Committee on Public Sector Reform and Service Delivery.

These include Department of Treasury, PNG Forest and a third party company named SGS.

Chairman of the Committee and Northern Governor Gary Juffa says this inquiry will begin with the intention of seeking answers on the regulation of round log exportation.

Juffa says this is an area that has been overlooked in the past years.

He believes this inquiry will open doors to better decisions and how Papua New Guinea can protect its forest and better it's systems when exporting round logs.

"And this is to do with the inspection of round logs, or inspection of all log exports from Papua New Guinea. And it's come to the notice of the committee that the inspection services that used to be carried out by SGS has come to an end or has been terminated or has ceased for some time. 

"So we'd like to know why that has happened and what's happening in this regards. We would also like to hear from the Forestry Department as to any plans they have in regards to a statement made by the government whereby it was determined or it was proposed that round log exports would end in 2025.

"So we want to hear from the forest services how they're prepared for this or what they're doing in this regards to comply with this particular directive. And we would also like to hear from the Treasury as well (as SGS, their views and thoughts on this," Juffa said.

 He said: "This is an inquiry to find some answers and look at ways where we can work together to improve systems of government that we feel need attention in regards to this particular subject matter."