Papua New Guinea's prime minister Peter O'Neill has issued stop work orders for two logging companies operating in Oro province for alleged breach of the Environment Act.
Harvested logs in PNG Photo: RNZI/Johnny Blades
The Environment and Conservation Authority has started investigations into the claims of illegal logging by Yema Gaiapa Developers Limited and Viva Success Limited, as Mr O'Neill warned that all loggers must comply with PNG's rules.
Meanwhile, the MP for Ijitivare in Oro, David Arore says the real question is what is the alternative to logging for people in the area in question.
"What is it? (Do) we plant cocoa or what is the form of revenue we want for them? If we are going to stop the logging, what do we have to give to them. but yeah this particularl logging that was stopped pending investigation, it's in one of the most remote areas of the world. So these people absolutely do not have any access to services, you see."
David Arore says if logging is stopped, and there is no alternative, the local community will revert to forestry if it's the only form of revenue
