Former Honiara City Council (HCC) Councillor Reginald Ngati has called on the Minister of Forestry and Research, Makario Tagini, to take firm action against corruption within the ministry.
Ngati made the statement following the announcement by the newly appointed Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Derrick Manu’arii, regarding the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate unpaid revenues from 33 bauxite shipments from West Rennell.
He claimed that similar issues persist within the forestry sector.
“I speak from experience as someone who has been victimised by the system in the forestry sector,” Ngati stated. “There is widespread corruption in the forestry industry that the minister must urgently address.”
Ngati further alleged that some logging companies are operating without obtaining the necessary licenses from provincial governments and have bypassed the required Timber Rights Hearings, yet continue their operations unlawfully.
