The environmental activist group, Greenpeace, has called on the Papua New Guinea govenrment to seize the assets of a Malaysian company illegally logging in the Western Province.
Its spokesperson, Bianca Havas, says Concord Pacific's logging operation in the Kiunga-Aiamabak area is illegal and that it is using threats of violence against locals to force them to transport felled trees to freighters anchored off shore.
The Western Province Governor, Dr Bob Danaya, while onboard Greenpeace's Arctic Sunrise over the weekend, says he was shocked at the large number of illegally felled logs being taken out and the poor working conditions of his people.
Dr Danaya says he wants those responsible for illegal logging to be investigated and charged.
Greenpeace's Bianca Havas says the govenrment must stop the exploitation of people and the province's natural resources by Concord Pacific.
"In some ways these companies are above the law because they have had such access to high levels of government that they've been able to get particular permits fast tracked and we're urging the goverment to seize the assets of Concord Pacific and compensate those hundreds of landowners who have suffered over the last seven years from illegal logging by Concord Pacific."
Bianca Havas from Greenpeace
