Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khayuim said in a bid to curb illegal logging, the Forestry Ministry formalised partnerships through memorandums of understanding with a number of key agencies.
He said the MOUs with agencies such as the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS), Fiji Bureau of Statistics, Fiji National Provident Fund, Employment Ministry and the Fiji Police Force also helped in the enforcement of laws and regulations.
The A-G made the comment while updating Parliament recently on the “Say No to Illegal Logging” while responding to a query from Opposition MP Mitieli Bulanauca.
“All these partnerships aim to form a formidable front to cut down illegal forest activities, ensure that forest-based companies provide appropriate safety working conditions for their staff, pay their staff the correct wages and FNPF and also pay the correct amount of taxes,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“It aims to strengthen our efforts to protect the environment as a way to address climate change, as any environmental damage caused by hastily and poorly planned operations can be irreparable.”
He said the ministry was also strengthening its relationship with the iTaukei Land Trust Board.
“Especially to clearly identify not only the genuine landowners but also to make sure that majority of them (at least 60 per cent of them) have agreed to the harvesting of trees from their respective lands.
“The partnerships will also help to ensure that fair compensation is provided to the resource owners through correct and timely royalty and stumpage payments and where appropriate, lease payments. Additionally, the partnerships will ensure that the total contribution of the forestry sector is accurately measured and reflected in the country’s GDP.”
Mr Sayed-Khayuim said the TLTB’s latest development — the sharing of the online harvesting licensing system — would help expedite business facilitation processes.
