Gizo to witness operations, Premier Gina a company director
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO residents are expected to see a logging operation on 6-Mile.
This is after Commissioner of Lands, Alan McNeil endorsed a Grant of Profit to the Western Province Investment Corporation (WPIC) over parcel number 097-019-105 land in Gizo, Western province on March 1 this year.
WPIC has appointed a contractor, Renown Surf & Cargo Ltd to carry out logging operation on 6 Mile for the next five years.
This was based on legal documents sighted by Island Sun newspaper yesterday.
Under the Technology and Marketing Agreement, all royalties are to be paid to the licensee within 21 days of negotiation of the Letter of Credit.
Royalties for each sale of logs from any plot in the Concession Area shall be at the rate of 15 percent of the net invoice price (FOB port of shipment) of that sale.
Renown shall withhold 10 percent of royalties specified in Clause 9.2 and of the License’s fee specified in Clause 8.2 and remit the same as withholding tax to the relevant Government Agency in accordance with the applicable law.
Renown Surf & Cargo Ltd shall pay the relevant Governmental Agency the export/exercise duty of 25 percent of the net invoice price (FOB port of shipment) of each sale of logs from any plot in the Concession Area.
The Directors of WPIC are Douglas Alex, current Western Province Premier David Gina, Isaac Vula Tatapu and hide former directors are Alex Lokopio and John Wesley Zama.
The shareholders are David Gina intrust for Western Investment Corporation and Alex Lokopio in trust for Executive of Western Province.
However, residents in Gizo have criticised the proposed logging operation on 6 Mile as it will destroy water streams that they depend on for swimming and drinking.
They call on the premier to discourage any proposed operation at Mile 6, because it is the last habitat for Gizo White-eye with no forest compared to other Islands.
They are also concerned the logging operation will make extinct unique species like White eye bird.
Island Sun understand Gizo township is always facing water shortage due to no proper water source.
Mr Gina could not be reached for comments before this paper went to print last night.
