PM orders investigation into forestry ministry fraud

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela. Photo: OPMC Press Secretariat

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela has instructed his chief of staff to get to the bottom of reports of fraud within the Ministry of Forestry and Research.

The reports allege that the commissioner of forests and some landowners illegally carried out logging operations on abandoned Government land reserved for the Komaridi hydro scheme in east Guadalcanal.

According to the reports, the commissioner of forests allegedly granted the felling licence.

“We will investigate this matter and take necessary action as soon as we obtain further information,” Prime Minister Houenipwela said in a statement today. “We cannot tolerate such actions.”

The statement said the Prime Minister was disturbed by the reports and assured that individuals involved in such illegal activities, including any Government officer, would be dealt with accordingly.

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