BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
MONEY prepared for a full timber rights hearing in Gizo last year has gone missing at the Provincial Treasury in Gizo, Western province.
A tribe in Mono, whose land will be the centre of a new timber rights hearing after a postponement was made last year at the United Church hall in Gizo, raised the alarm on the missing money.
The tribe’s spokesperson told Island Sun Gizo yesterday that they were promised by former premier Maepioh’s government last year that the money will be in safe hands until a new date will be appointed.
Members of the concerned tribe are in Gizo following up on the money, which is said to be $200,000.
The spokesperson said they have asked officers in the province’s treasury but have not received any welcoming answer.
“There was no one in there to give a clear explanation so we thought something has really gone wrong.
“Timber Rights Hearing was held at the United Church hall in Gizo last year. But it was postponed due to some further studies of the request made for a hearing.”
He explained that the missing money is needed this time round for a fresh timber rights hearing expected in a week’s time.
The tribe is seeking answers from authorities as to the whereabouts of this money.
The tribe wants their land to be logged. This paper understands that this will be a second time for a logging to operate at Mono in the Shortland Islands.
