Minister Maru Heads Delegation to WTO 13th Ministerial Conference
PRESS RELEASE
Investigation Team for Investigations into East New Britain Palm Oil Limited
Port Moresby, November 19, 2024- The Investigation Team, led by the Chairman, Mr. David Mather, who arrived this morning from London, will be in Kokopo next week for the investigation into dealings of East New Britain Palm Oil Limited (ENBPOL) and its business conduct towards the local oil palm growers in the Gazelle Peninsula in East New Britain (ENB) Province.
The Members of the Investigation Team include:
1. Mr. David Mather- Chairman
2. Mr. David Towe- Chief Commissioner for Papua New Guinea Customs Service
3. Mr. Daniel Koiam- Chartered Accountant/Economist
4. Mr. Tony Waisi- Lawyer
5. Mr. Andy Ambulu- Lawyer
6. Ms. Michelle Auamoromoro- Secretary to the Investigation Team
The investigation team will be in Kokopo from November 24-30, 2024, where they will meet with the farmers, the Provincial Government, and all stakeholders including the company concerned.
This investigation was approved by the NEC following a petition by the local oil palm growers and landowners of Gazelle Peninsula and Wider Bay Area of ENB Province calling for an investigation into the alleged exploitation of an unfair trade practices by the ENBPOL for illegal price fixing of K10 per metric ton for Fresh Fruits Bunch (FFB) payments from November 2014 to 2022, and K15 per metric ton from 2023-2024. The Investigation Team met with the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, this evening, who addressed them, and informed them of the Terms of Reference for the investigation which is mainly to investigate complaints from the farmers that they have been underpaid by 500-600% in the oil palm prices in the last 10 years, and the investigation will also be extended to the deals struck for the concerned company to grow oil palm in the land owned by the people.
Minister Maru also emphasized the importance of this important investigation which is the first of its kind in the history of Papua New Guinea. “The complaints from the Gazelle farmers may just be the tip of an iceberg on the rot in the industry when it comes to landowner benefits from the development on their land, their sweat, and labor. The Marape-Rosso Government will have to act so we can get a far better package to encourage our people to free up land for oil palm development,” said Minister Maru.
Minister Maru further stated: “We look forward to the findings and recommendations of the investigation team which will be important to all key stakeholders, the growers and landowners, the oil palm developers, this Government, and key Government agencies who may need to take hold of the report and implement changes. The investigation will also guide the Government to reform the oil palm industry to ensure that such rip off of our farmers does not happen again. This is a very important investigation for the Government and it is the first time in the country’s history that the Government is investigating the price of oil palm upon receiving complaints from over 15,000 village oil palm farmers who have requested the Government’s intervention to help them and their families see 500-600% increase in the oil palm prices, similar to farmers in West New Britain Province.” “I want to thank the Governor for East New Britain Province, Hon. Michael Marum, and his Provincial Administrator for fully supporting this investigation with financial assistance to meet critical on-ground expenses for this investigation,” added Minister Maru.
Ends…//
Approved for Release Hon. Richard Maru, BTech, MBA, OBE, MP Minister for International Trade & Investment
Investigation Team for Investigations into East New Britain Palm Oil Limited
Port Moresby, November 19, 2024- The Investigation Team, led by the Chairman, Mr. David Mather, who arrived this morning from London, will be in Kokopo next week for the investigation into dealings of East New Britain Palm Oil Limited (ENBPOL) and its business conduct towards the local oil palm growers in the Gazelle Peninsula in East New Britain (ENB) Province.
The Members of the Investigation Team include:
1. Mr. David Mather- Chairman
2. Mr. David Towe- Chief Commissioner for Papua New Guinea Customs Service
3. Mr. Daniel Koiam- Chartered Accountant/Economist
4. Mr. Tony Waisi- Lawyer
5. Mr. Andy Ambulu- Lawyer
6. Ms. Michelle Auamoromoro- Secretary to the Investigation Team
The investigation team will be in Kokopo from November 24-30, 2024, where they will meet with the farmers, the Provincial Government, and all stakeholders including the company concerned.
This investigation was approved by the NEC following a petition by the local oil palm growers and landowners of Gazelle Peninsula and Wider Bay Area of ENB Province calling for an investigation into the alleged exploitation of an unfair trade practices by the ENBPOL for illegal price fixing of K10 per metric ton for Fresh Fruits Bunch (FFB) payments from November 2014 to 2022, and K15 per metric ton from 2023-2024. The Investigation Team met with the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, this evening, who addressed them, and informed them of the Terms of Reference for the investigation which is mainly to investigate complaints from the farmers that they have been underpaid by 500-600% in the oil palm prices in the last 10 years, and the investigation will also be extended to the deals struck for the concerned company to grow oil palm in the land owned by the people.
Minister Maru also emphasized the importance of this important investigation which is the first of its kind in the history of Papua New Guinea. “The complaints from the Gazelle farmers may just be the tip of an iceberg on the rot in the industry when it comes to landowner benefits from the development on their land, their sweat, and labor. The Marape-Rosso Government will have to act so we can get a far better package to encourage our people to free up land for oil palm development,” said Minister Maru.
Minister Maru further stated: “We look forward to the findings and recommendations of the investigation team which will be important to all key stakeholders, the growers and landowners, the oil palm developers, this Government, and key Government agencies who may need to take hold of the report and implement changes. The investigation will also guide the Government to reform the oil palm industry to ensure that such rip off of our farmers does not happen again. This is a very important investigation for the Government and it is the first time in the country’s history that the Government is investigating the price of oil palm upon receiving complaints from over 15,000 village oil palm farmers who have requested the Government’s intervention to help them and their families see 500-600% increase in the oil palm prices, similar to farmers in West New Britain Province.” “I want to thank the Governor for East New Britain Province, Hon. Michael Marum, and his Provincial Administrator for fully supporting this investigation with financial assistance to meet critical on-ground expenses for this investigation,” added Minister Maru.
Ends…//
Approved for Release Hon. Richard Maru, BTech, MBA, OBE, MP Minister for International Trade & Investment
PRESS RELEASE
Website for Section PNG Osaka Expo 2025 Launched.
Port Moresby, November 17, 2024
The official website for Section Papua New Guinea (PNG) Osaka Expo 2025 was officially launched on Friday by the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru. Minister Maru said the website will be a marketing platform to market and promote PNG to the world as a country, its provinces and districts, products and services, and also promote PNG as a potential tourism and investment destination. “Everyone who wish to advertise their products or services to the world will be able to do so using this website. We will promote our provinces and district, private companies, industries, and Government Agencies across all sectors including fisheries, agriculture, mining and petroleum, and tourism. The promotional contents will run on our website for 24-hours across all time zones with billions of reaches expected from corporates, companies, and individuals from across the world,” said Minister Maru. A total of 150 countries and 25 international organizations are expected to participate. An estimate of 28.2 million visits is projected over the course of the Expo with billions to join virtually. “If you cannot be physically there at the Expo, you can still market and promote your products and services using this website. I am excited to hear that East New Britain, New Ireland, and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have already decided to not only advertise their provinces through this website but to also have stalls at the PNG off-site pavilion. I am now calling on all our SMEs, agencies, Government entities, and regulatory agencies to prepare your promotional contents for this website. Small fees will be charged to have your contents run on the website,” said Minister Maru. Minister Maru stated: “Our Government is keen on making sure that the whole country benefits from the Expo. The Government has approved K8.6 million to fund the overall participation of PNG at the Expo, but in order to maximize our benefits from the Expo, we will use this website.” Minister Maru challenged the technical team behind the website to make sure the website is user-friendly, very professional, and attractive as it is a chance to promote PNG. Minister Maru added: “Japan is a very special friend of PNG. They just funded the Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport in Lae, one of best in the country, at the cost of K700 million. They are the host for the 2025 World Expo and our participation must show our gratitude for our long friendship- an enduring friendship that we really value.” Meanwhile, Minister Maru is pushing for the Government to make sure that by January next year, Air Niugini flight from Port Moresby to Narita is re-established. “We cannot go to the Expo without direct flights. How can we promote ourselves and people cannot even get here? It doesn’t make sense. As the Minister for International Trade and Investment, I want the Port Moresby to Narita flight re-opened as soon as possible,” said Minister Maru.
Ends…//
Approved for Release
Hon. Richard Maru, BTech, MBA, OBE, MP Minister for International Trade & Investment
Website for Section PNG Osaka Expo 2025 Launched.
Port Moresby, November 17, 2024
The official website for Section Papua New Guinea (PNG) Osaka Expo 2025 was officially launched on Friday by the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru. Minister Maru said the website will be a marketing platform to market and promote PNG to the world as a country, its provinces and districts, products and services, and also promote PNG as a potential tourism and investment destination. “Everyone who wish to advertise their products or services to the world will be able to do so using this website. We will promote our provinces and district, private companies, industries, and Government Agencies across all sectors including fisheries, agriculture, mining and petroleum, and tourism. The promotional contents will run on our website for 24-hours across all time zones with billions of reaches expected from corporates, companies, and individuals from across the world,” said Minister Maru. A total of 150 countries and 25 international organizations are expected to participate. An estimate of 28.2 million visits is projected over the course of the Expo with billions to join virtually. “If you cannot be physically there at the Expo, you can still market and promote your products and services using this website. I am excited to hear that East New Britain, New Ireland, and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have already decided to not only advertise their provinces through this website but to also have stalls at the PNG off-site pavilion. I am now calling on all our SMEs, agencies, Government entities, and regulatory agencies to prepare your promotional contents for this website. Small fees will be charged to have your contents run on the website,” said Minister Maru. Minister Maru stated: “Our Government is keen on making sure that the whole country benefits from the Expo. The Government has approved K8.6 million to fund the overall participation of PNG at the Expo, but in order to maximize our benefits from the Expo, we will use this website.” Minister Maru challenged the technical team behind the website to make sure the website is user-friendly, very professional, and attractive as it is a chance to promote PNG. Minister Maru added: “Japan is a very special friend of PNG. They just funded the Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport in Lae, one of best in the country, at the cost of K700 million. They are the host for the 2025 World Expo and our participation must show our gratitude for our long friendship- an enduring friendship that we really value.” Meanwhile, Minister Maru is pushing for the Government to make sure that by January next year, Air Niugini flight from Port Moresby to Narita is re-established. “We cannot go to the Expo without direct flights. How can we promote ourselves and people cannot even get here? It doesn’t make sense. As the Minister for International Trade and Investment, I want the Port Moresby to Narita flight re-opened as soon as possible,” said Minister Maru.
Ends…//
Approved for Release
Hon. Richard Maru, BTech, MBA, OBE, MP Minister for International Trade & Investment