The time has come for mahogany plantations to be returned to its landowners, says SODELPA leader Viliame Gavoka.
He said this during debate on the ‘Review of the 2018-2019 Audit Report on the Government Commercial Companies, Commercial Statutory Authorities and Other Entities and the 2018-2019 Audit Report on Statutory Authorities (Consolidated Report) in Parliament.
“We hear that the debts have been paid off and we believe the time is now right for these plantations to be restored to the landowners while continuing to work with professional organisations to harvest, to process mahogany products to benefit the country and benefit the landowners and everyone,” he said.
“I’ve always said that we can always set up manufacturing plants in Fiji and make Fiji mahogany a world product to be exported worldwide as we have the supply of raw materials.”
Mr Gavoka also raised his doubt on the monetary value of Fiji Hardwood Corporation.
“It says here that the company recorded plantation forest crop amounting to $213,320,000 as of December 2017.
“I just ask, if this could be clarified and verified because other commentators are saying that the total plantation in this country is in the tune of $5 billion.
“We are always known to have the biggest stock of mature mahogany in the world.
“So I’m a little dismayed when I see this figure that is only $213 million in total.
“I wonder if the Government would take the opportunity to verify this and reconcile what is out there in the marketplace, where people say that the value of the plantation is in the tune of $5 billion.”
