The newly appointed Minister for Forests Hon. Walter Schnaubelt has encouraged staff of Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) to work as a team to achieve the objectives of the Forestry sector.He said this when taking over the Ministry from Hon. Solan Mirisim at the PNGFA headquarters in Port Moresby on January 12th, 2021.
Minister Schnaubelt said: “Taking on the new ministry will depend
on support from the staff to fully look into what has happened, what happens and what needs to happen in the forestry sector.
“We all contribute to give the best to achieve the objectives of PNGFA which I will give my full commitment and support to while following the rules and regulations of PNGFA.
“The important thing is that running PNGFA is not a one man show and requires everybody to contribute.
“A lot of reviews have been done and I want to say to the staff that I am an effective team player. I have my tasks and responsibilities and you have yours.
“I am not familiar with the industry but I have some knowledge about forestry through the four logging operations operating in my province (New Ireland). These will help and guide me on the best way or approach that I can give and assist the Forest industry to get to the next level.”
“I am looking forward to the challenges knowing that it will take team effort to achieve and looking forward to work with everybody within the PNGFA.”
He thanked the National Forest Service (NFS) Managing Director Mr. Tunou Sabuin and outgoing Minister of Forests Hon. Mirisim for PNGFA’s new Corporate Plan and the policy reviews that have happened within the forestry sector.
He thanked Hon. Mirisim for officially handing over the ministerial portfolio and for his effort and contribution to the Forestry Sector while being the Forests Minister for 18 months.
Minister Schnaubelt said that he will continue from where the outgoing minister has left.
Hon. Mirisim is the current Defence Minister, a portfolio he held in the past.
NFS is the implementing arm of the PNGFA. Its two other arms are the National Forest Board and the Provincial Forest Management Committees.