Parliament decides to audit Maori Trust ‘Eua Forest [1]
Thursday, September 1, 2016 - 16:35
From the House, by Pesi Fonua
A decision by the Tongan Parliament on 24 August for the Auditor General to audit the ‘Eua Forest Reserve and then report back to the House has surprised many members of the public, since government has already leased the ‘Eua Forest Reserve to a Maori Trust for 50 years.
The Tonga Government on 17 June 2016 agreed to lease to the Maori Trust for 50 years the assets of the Tonga Forest Products Ltd; the ‘Eua Forest Reserve, Vaitaki Sawmilling Site and the Mataliku Forest Plant. Government also agreed for the Tonga Forest Products Ltd to be named, the Aotearoa-Tonga Forest Products Ltd.
Lord Nuku, the ‘Eua Noble's Representatives to the Tongan Parliament, a number of times has raised in parliament the dissatisfaction of workers who lost their jobs at the ‘Eua Forest Reserve since it was taken over by the Maori Trust on 17 June.
On 24 August Lord Nuku again raised the dissatisfaction of former employees at the ‘Eua Forest Reserve for losing their jobs. He queried the involvement of a local businessman, Soane Ramanlal in the sacking of these workers, and he expressed a belief that the entity that leased the ‘Eua Forest was registered in Vanuatu. He also wanted to know when the ‘Eua Forest Reserve was last audited; he expressed an opinion that the lease agreement that the Tonga Government and the Maori Trust signed on 17 June, was in the favour of the Maori Trust.
He stressed that the forest and the ‘Eua natural water resource were very essential components of the life of the people of ‘Eua.
Hon. Poasi Tei, the Minister for Public Enterprises responded and explained that government has been injecting millions into the Tonga Forest Products Ltd during the last financial year to keep it in operation. He said that despite the effort to strengthen the TFPL financial position it continued to slip into financial difficulties. The situation turned from bad to worse when the company’s financial reports were "set on fire".
He said that the interest of the Maori Trust at the ‘Eua Forest Reserve was a welcome option.
It was agreed for the Maori Trust to pay government $9,737,795 pa’anga, in return they would take control of the management of the Tonga Forest Products Ltd for 50 years, with the option to renew for a further 25 years.
Poasi also told the House that Peni Vea, a former manager of the Tonga Development Bank is the boss of the Aotearo TFPL, and Soane is an adviser. He also confirmed to the House that the Maori Trust was registered in New Zealand, and not in Vanuatu, as Lord Nuku had alluded to.
Lord Nuku continued to stress his concern for the welfare of workers who have lost their jobs and that the forest and natural water resources of ‘Eua are assets of the community.
He said that he kept raising the complaints of dismissed workers, because they kept coming to see him. They sought help from other people, including the Prime Minister but no one was willing to help.
The Prime Minister responded that he called his CEO and told him to attend to the dismissed workers. He went on and stressed the important of the agreement with the Maori Trust, they settled the debt of the TFPL with the Tonga development Bank; they will replant the forest.
“They want to make money, and it is their choice to lay off these workers and let them go home,” said the PM.
Relating to the involvement of the person [Soane Ramanlal] in the sacking of these workers he said he had called a Cabinet meeting and there was a consensus that they didi not want this person to be involved in any government boards. He said that Tonga Power is still paying back this person millions.
“This person looks after the properties of the previous king, King George Tupou V. They want to sell ‘Atalanga, and that case is still in court.
“They also want to sell the two properties on Vuna Road and the Cabinet has stopped them. This is very close to me, but I want to share it with you,” the PM told the House.
Lord Nuku moved for the House to vote on his motion. It was carried 18-1. Against was the Ha’apai No. 13 People Representative, Light of Life Taka.
During the same parliamentary session, the Minister for the Ministry of Revenue and Customs, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau, told the House, that government had bought back the 'Utukalongalu Market from Pacific Timber for $1.1m. He said that there was an enormous amount of unpaid rent due to Pacific Timber, but they were willing to write it off.