Oil palm boss says laws governing industry are outdated

March 16 2022

Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC) Acting General-Secretary Kepson Pupita says the “long-overdue” review of the OPIC Act to bring about changes in the billion-kina industry is now is place.

He said this in Kimbe today (Wednesday March 16) after a consultation meeting with stakeholders to discuss the revised OPIC Act before it goes to Parliament.

Talasea MP and a member of the ruling Pangu Pati Hon. Francis Maneke, a strong advocate for change in the oil palm industry, was present for the meeting as well as Department of Agriculture and Livestock Deputy Secretary Francis Daink and lawyer Martin Ginyaru.

The review of the OPIC Act is in line with the Marape Government’s policy to ‘Take Back PNG Through Agriculture’.

Similar meetings will follow after this in Port Moresby on Friday (March 18) for Southern Region  and in Lae next Monday (March 21) for Momase Region.

“We have started the process of looking at the OPIC Act which was enacted in 1992, with a view to going forward,” Pupita said.

“We have had very good feedback from stakeholders at this first consultation meeting today, which we will have a look at.”

Pupita said another meeting would be held in Port Moresby on Friday and another in Lae next Monday to get the views of as many stakeholders as possible.

The OPIC Acting General-Secretary said the Markham Valley of Morobe, Ramu Valley of Madang and Sepik Plains were the new frontiers of the oil palm industry – outside of the established West New Britain – with massive tracts of land.

“There is a lot of interest coming from Morobe and from East Sepik, where oil palm is already grown,” he said.

“Let’s look at the potential in the Markham Valley, Ramu Valley, Sepik Plains.

“We also want to hear from them as well.

“Look at, for instance, Morobe which has planted 1000-hectares already but seven years have gone by and milling companies are not collecting fruit from there.”

Agriculture and Livestock Minister Hon. John Simon, addressing West New Britain growers in January this year, said a review of the OPIC Act was long overdue.

“The Oil Palm Industry Corporation Act has been in place for a long time, and needs to be reviewed, as it only allows OPIC to provide extension services to the smallholder growers whereas the big oil palm companies operate in an unregulated industry,” Minister Simon said.

“OPIC, under the current legislative framework, cannot impose sustainable oil palm practice, collect levies, charge licensing fees, create regulations and standards, enforce compliance, impose sanctions and penalties, and prosecute offences.

“The act was supposed to have been reviewed by our predecessors, however, this has not been done.

“When the act is passed, you (growers) will no longer have to pay some of the fees that you are currently paying.”

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