A controversial logging project in Papua New Guinea, currently the subject of a Greenpeace protest, should not have been allowed to go ahead, the nation’s prime minister has said.
Prime minister Sir Mekere Morauta said an independent review had found that the Kiunga-Aimback project failed to comply with legal requirements and standards.
Sir Mekere said project owner Concord Pacific Ltd had stopped the government from revoking its logging permit with a court injuction two years ago. The case is due to be heard again this month.
Local landowners asked Greenpeace to lay siege to a ship carrying timber from the project, claiming the logging has taken their resources and damaged the environment.
Activists chained themsleves to the vessel to prevent loading of timber.
