Ra Province Eyes Investment in Carbon Trading

Tapping into the carbon trading market will financially benefit the Ra Province in terms generating more income and making the province more self-sufficient.

Ra Provincial Council chairman Kiniviliame Salabogi said this in response to questions regarding comments made by the Assistant Minister for the Office of the Prime Minister, Sakiusa Tubuna who highlighted the new venture while opening the Ra Provincial Council meeting yesterday.

The one-day meeting took place yesterday at the Ra Provincial Council meeting hall at Nanukuloa Village, Ra.

“When I came to the Roko Tui, I saw that the Bose Vanua had already approved to work with the Green Environment Services then I looked through the documents and I saw the benefit, how much money is coming in and how it will benefit the province. I discussed this further with the Green Environmental Services which briefed me and then the consultants and technicians from overseas came onboard,” he said.

The Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Sakiusa Tubuna at the opening the Ra Provincial Council meeting at Nanukuloa. Photo: DEPTFO News

“Once carbon trading comes in, about 500 People will be working within the province in the first five to six years. “For example, if we trade in 400,000 metric tons that will be $100 to $160 per metric ton. There will be a huge amount of money that would be pouring into the province. I was trying to do it collectively instead of individually for each mataqali or each Tokatoka for their carbon to be sequestrated within their land.”

He said about $20 million would be needed to train those who would work on the ground, before carbon trading took place

“The return of investment to the province will be 60 per cent, 30 per cent for our partner in Canada and 10 per cent for Government,” he said.

Mr Tubuna, meanwhile, said the venture had been approved by 20 representatives throughout the province.

“Now, discussions will take place in various districts. Government is working on this now to provide support for this initiative and it will be beneficial to many of you,” he said.

“You may be aware of the Great Council of Chiefs meeting and one thing that was discussed was how do we iTaukei generate income and how this will improve our standard of living.”

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