WE were not consulted before the cutting of mahogany trees beside Adi Cakobau School, says the traditional landowners of Sawani.
Sawani Village headman Anare Batigai said as traditional resource owners they should be consulted adding with a few of their girls attending the all-girls school, they were wary of their safety from a possible landslide.
“Of course we are worried about our children and their safety. If something happens to them, who will be answerable. We will be writing soon to the school and to the ministry on why we were not consulted but more importantly the safety of our children,” he said.
Director Forestry Central/Eastern Division Apisai Rinamalo said: “They will not be consulted because the mahogany trees are on ACS leased land.”
Meanwhile, the school had made the request for the mahogany to be cut as falling branches and flying debris had been hitting the main school block and hostel during strong winds.
