Corruption returns to the Forestry Commission

Jul 08, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
The ghost of corruption has once again return to the GFC specifically to the forest monitoring department. Reminiscent of what took place in the mid-nineties and early 2000 there is solid evidence of wide spread corruption and collusion with the forestry monitoring department now being headed by the leader of the cabal group. Officers turn a blind eye and are paid to turn a blind eye on massive illegality in the fields. The top brass of the department involves in regular sporting sprees with a certain group of officers all paid by concessionaire.
Persons are given permits to cut wood on state land and make it look as if it is coming from their area. Some people are getting concessions without merit while others without equipment etc. are continually being denied. These crocks at forestry will make our government fail. This is a government that promised change and transparency.
I hope the GFC board under the acute leadership of the first female chair does not turn a blind eye or condone such corruption happening under their nose. I know reputable and respectable gentlemen on the board like Dr. Singh, Mr. Hall, Mr. Mac, and Mr. Mendes will not stand for corruption and thus I am baffled as to why nothing is being done to address these blatant acts of corruption. I will give certain examples of what is occurring.
1. Right now in the North West Kwebana area the forest officers are under instruction to give a few individuals permission to cut and remove wood like purple-heart etc. in state lands. No royalty is paid the wood is sold and the boys get their kickbacks. You are talking big money here. A BM of purpleheart is 300 dollars and these guys are cutting 4000 to 5000 BM a week. Remember this is free wood so all you make is pocketed; so these guys are giving the officer a $100,000 or so for one permit. Please have someone sent on the ground (in the forest) and they will see the amount of wood that is being cut illegally and shipped out or have them speak to the people in the area.
2. There is wide spread illegal activities in Bartica. Again, speak to the persons who get valid concessions in the area or to the Bartica group and you will be shocked to find out what is occurring in the Bartica area to which the forest officer turns a blind eye.
3. A particular exporter based in Kwakwani has been receiving approval for a certain quantity of produce; however after the export document is approved this person loads more wood into the container thereby under paying export duties to the GFC. The name of the exporter can be revealed if so desired. An old forestry officer that was fired for corruption is working along with the exporter to defraud the system. The DFO in Kwakwani and his boss are well aware of the scheme and are yet to take action. I am not saying they won’t but they haven’t as yet.
4. Last week (June month end) a certain official team visited an area to do work and one of them assaulted the employee of the concessionaire with a cutlass; he actually chased this Amerindian guy to chop him. A certain officer in charge ducked the matter or did nothing. The concession is a reputable company that operates in Queenstown.
5. Officers, high ranking officers of the department go on field trips and “drink up” with the operators. Only last week (June month end) this occurred in the Supenaam area. They get the concessionaire to purchase alcohol for them and “grease” their hands so they will turn a blind eye to the illegal wood passing. Supenaam is another hot spot for illegal activities.
6. A racket seems to be on going in the concession management allocation department where legitimate persons with good equipment and records are continually being denied whilst others with little or no equipment are obtaining sometimes more than one. The list can go on and I will do a second installament. But I do hope that this information is dealt with seriously by the relevant authorities. I say to you. Madam Chairman of the Board, the sector has great respect for and expectations of you to run a clean slate. Please act now.
Concerned Forestry Investor

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