ACT NOW! files second lawsuit against PNG Forest Authority for information disclosure

The community advocacy organization ACT NOW! has launched a second legal action against the Papua New Guinea Forest Authority. This latest challenge specifically aims to compel the authority to disclose information concerning controversial Forest Clearing Authority (FCA) logging licenses and the progress of audits on FCA projects.

According to ACT NOW!'s Campaign Manager Eddie Tanago, the organization has made repeated attempts to obtain information from the PNG Forest Authority over the last three years. These requests have focused on individual FCA logging projects, the moratorium on new projects, and the status of FCA audits. However, Tanago stated that the authority has not provided a single response to these inquiries.

This legal move follows a previous challenge filed by ACT NOW!, indicating a persistent struggle between the advocacy group and the Forest Authority over transparency in logging operations. The organization's efforts highlight concerns about the management and oversight of forest resources in Papua New Guinea, particularly in relation to FCA logging activities.

The demand for information underscores ACT NOW!'s commitment to accountability and public access to data concerning natural resource management. The outcome of this legal action could shed light on the controversial logging licenses and the effectiveness of the audits, potentially leading to greater scrutiny of the PNG Forest Authority's operations.

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ACT NOW! has written to the PNG Forest Authority on numerous occasions over the past three years has been seeking information on individual FCA logging projects, the moratorium on new projects and progress with the FCA audits, but has not received a single reply.