Conservation
International Statement On Milne Bay Marine Conservation
Project
Conservation International (CI) is
disappointed and saddened that it has been forced by circumstances beyond
its control to terminate the Milne Bay Marine Conservation Project agreement.
The termination was not CI’s choice, but instead the result of inexplicable
demands by the Governor of Milne Bay Province.
The Governor’s accusations and misleading contentions ignore CI’s significant
contributions to conservation efforts in Papua New Guinea, including
the Milne Bay Marine Conservation Project.
The Governor appears to base his opposition to CI on the recent Evaluation
Report of the Milne Bay project. The report relied on incomplete
information and reached conclusions that the evaluators were unqualified
to ascertain, with no documentation provided for the more serious allegations.
CI’s formal response to the evaluation report addresses the issues raised
by the Governor.
As is standard practice for monitoring its grant awards, the U.N. Development
Program commissioned two annual, independent audits of the Milne
Bay project by a prominent international accounting
firm that found no financial irregularities. CI also has called repeatedly
for an additional full, independent financial audit of the Milne Bay project
to eliminate any suggestion of impropriety in the financial management of
the project.
CI intends
to continue working in Bay and remains committed to supporting this very important
conservation program that benefits the local communities. CI has not abandoned
the project, but has been forced by the Governor’s actions to terminate the
project agreement. All staff that will no longer have jobs due to termination
of the project agreement will remain on the CI payroll until Oct. 31, and
CI will treat these staff members as generously as possible.
CI has not
moved any materials or property from the project, and has no intention of
moving the biological/scientific data amassed during the course of the project.
This information belongs to the Milne Bay communities
to help them make the best decisions on the use and protection of the region’s
unique biodiversity.
CI is working with
project partners including the U.N. Development
Program, the Papua New Guinea government
and the Milne Bay Provincial Government to ensure that the project’s work
continues.CI
is no longer the legal implementing authority for the project; that role
was assumed by the Milne Bay Provincial Government in May under a bilateral
agreement with UNDP.
CI is exploring ways to continue supporting the Marine Bay Marine Conservation
Project and to continue its terrestrial conservation work in the area.
