MALAYSIAN Xiang Lin Timber Company has paid a compensation of $250,000 to communities of Graciosa Bay in Santa Cruz, Temotu Province, Wednesday.
This was after a barge owned by the loggers was caught trespassing to transship log products inside the bay.
A statement from the Graciosa Bay communities said initially a compensation demand of $30, 000 was issued on Wednesday last week which the loggers paid in full.
Under the condition, the chiefs ordered a tug boat used in the transshipment to move out of the waters.
But over the weekend the tug boat was still anchoring inside the harbor.
The statement said as a result, the chiefs agreed and resorted to tougher measures by re-issuing another demand of $250,000.
“On Monday night this week community members forcefully boarded the tug boat and moved it to the shoreline demanding the loggers to pay their demand before it is released.
“The demand was finally paid in full yesterday morning to the Graciosa Bay communities designated bank account,” the statement said.
The tug boat is now released and under care of the loggers.
The Graciosa Bay communities stated that logging operations at Nalua of Santa Cruz was completely illegal seeing no timber right hearing was conducted.
“An in junction order purported to stop the illegal operations in certain number of blocks were ignored by Xing Lin Timber Ltd.
“Request to Lata based police force to serve the order was declined citing inadequate transport fuel to execute the order,” the statement reads.
The statement continues;
“Gracious Bay communities and the people of Santa Cruz claimed that they are fed up of corrupt dealings by certain selfish individuals.
“We call on our Provincial Government and foreign investors to conduct their business interest in a transparent and legal manner,” it adds.
“People of Santa Cruz do not want destructive development like logging and mining to take place on the Island.”
A statement from the Police Media Office said:
“Police assisted in the mediation of the dispute and both parties involved have reached an agreement which resulted in the release of the tow boat.
“Police at Lata appeals to both parties to respect their agreement and resolve the issue through a peaceful dialogue,” the police statement said.
Police will continue to monitor the situation.
The logging operation has been a subject of constant rows between landowners in past years and just last year was granted a business licence by Premier David Maina.
One of the landowners and beneficiaries of the logging operations Fr Brown Beu is not available for comments last night.
By TEDDY KAFO
