Response from Kanaka Management Services: “Please do not conduct legal trail or castigate REDD+ project developers on the website by writing text which shows the project developer in bad light”
Response from Kanaka Management Services: “Please do not conduct legal trail or castigate REDD+ project developers on the website by writing text which shows the project developer in bad light”
Last week, REDD-Monitor wrote a post about Kanaka Management Services’ REDD project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The post featured a letter from a group of NGOs working in the country to Eva Bazaiba, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development. The letter requests Bazaiba’s immediate intervention regarding the “illegal actions of Kanaka Management Services” in its proposed REDD project, which covers a total of more than 72 million hectares in six provinces of DRC. According to KMS, the project would generate 1.5 billion carbon credits per year.
Yesterday, REDD-Monitor received the following email from Kanaka Management Services. It is posted here in full, unedited, and without comment, except to note that both the VCS and CCB project statuses for the project are listed as “Rejected by Administrator” on Verra’s website. Verra rejected the project in September 2021. Given this reality, to describe the project as “the Verra VCS REDD+ project 2320”, as KMS does repeatedly in its response, is extremely misleading:
2nd May 2022
Dear REDD Monitor team and stake holders,
We have gone through the comments posted here on this website with respect to the Verra VCS REDD+ project 2320 conceived and developed by us. We would like to respectfully submit the following clarifications and information to the benefit of all stake holders and readers. We have briefly answered all the relevant points raised in the comment note. Thank you for your kind understanding.
1) First of all we do not understand the rationale and objective of this malicious attack on this REDD+ project. Who is behind these wild allegations and why they are doing this malicious campaign. We are unable to understand the purpose and logic. We leave this judgment to the readers. What are they going to achieve by damaging this community REDD+ project other than bringing more misery to the local communities.
2) This project does not contain any logging concessions. Hence the comments made in relation to the logging concessions need no explanation from us.
3) We do not use any other entity or person name while approaching to the communities. It is a lie that we used some other names and approached the communities. We never did and will never do that.
4) Please do not get confused and confuse readers. Verra VCS 2320 project audit is temporarily stopped by Honorable Ministry for completing some harmonization elements.
What this allegation note is referring is about some CFCL agreements.
Please do not confused and confuse others.
Let us very clear. As far as Verra VCS 2320 REDD+ project is concerned the REDD+ project lease agreements are signed between sector/chiefdom chiefs and KMS. Hence Verra VCS 2320 documentation is in order subject to Honorable Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development harmonization. Please refer the project description document for further details and approvals.
5) During the course of the implementation of developmental activities we did take help and work closely with some NGOs in the provinces on specific tasks. If any NGO in the country is having any objection or concern on this REDD+ project we are ready to speak to them and discuss. We are ready for mutual understanding and cooperation. In fact local NGOs are critical for us in implementation of REDD+ initiatives and community developmental activities. We deeply appreciate the local NGOs positive contribution to the country. If some local NGOs are instigated and misguided by any elements that are spearheading this malicious campaign, we can only say that this is very unfortunate and unfair. We are ready for discussion and peaceful and successful implementation of this REDD+ project.
6) As a project developer our job is to follow the law of the land, be transparent and honest to the land owners and discharge our duties as a project developer including preparation of appropriate technical documentation as per the respective crediting standard guidelines from time to time. We cannot stop local politics. We have no control on the local politics. There are multiple local and national politics and hatred around which fuels these kind of wild allegations with an overall objective of continuation of depriving the under privileged and under developed local communities from improved living conditions. Readers should ascertain the underlying ulterior motives in these kinds of allegations and mischievous behavior. The people and entities attacking this REDD+ project with wild allegations, baseless, irrelevant and misleading statements and decelerating the progress of the project are the enemies of the country and indulging in serious direct long term damage to the welfare of local communities and eventually the Republic. How long the rural local communities have to struggle to improve their living conditions? Should they be living in such conditions continuously in future as well? This project co-benefits can certainly help local communities to improve their livelihoods and strengthen their resolve to reach higher in the overall living standards.
7) Even if someone is having a personal vendetta or jealousy or having an idea to gain commercial benefits or to gain political benefits or having time to indulge in some mischievous writings, this kind of writing and campaigning is highly immoral and must be stopped immediately. This is nothing but a disservice to the humanity and disrespect to the people of Democratic Republic of Congo who have protected this wonderful rain forest since centuries. We consider this REDD+ project as an honor and tribute to the people of Democratic Republic of Congo for their continuing and commendable commitment to protect these magnificent Congo forest areas. Instead of appreciating this project initiative and implementation, some people and entities are trying to damage the progress of the project. This is highly unfortunate and must be stopped in the best interest of the country. Honorable Environment and Sustainable Development Ministry is aware of all the facts and will act in the best interests of the country.
The allegation is made that this REDD+ project fuels food security and community conflicts. There is no bigger lie than this statement in whole of the allegation sheet. In fact this REDD+ project does increase the food security and peaceful stable community living. Please read the CCB documentation provided on the project page at Verra.
https://registry.verra.org/app/projectDetail/VCS/2320
8) KMS did not violate any laws or coerced any customary land owner to sign the REDD+ lease agreements. It was a fully transparent agreement signing process which happened in group community meetings. It was not a personal dealing with any Chief. We have adequate pictures and evidences of such meetings. The collective decision of the communities has translated into the signed agreements. Please see the project and field works done from the Verra documents on Verra web page:
https://registry.verra.org/app/projectDetail/VCS/2320
Additionally more elaborate field information can be seen from the project specific website:
http://reddplusprojectdrcongo.earth/
9) Please do not compare two different REDD+ projects or try to cast us in a wrong way by generalizing and writing some sweeping statements. When as a developer if we have not done anything wrong why should we fear or back out from any project implementation? We cannot stop local politics and villains from performing desperately what they are best doing at. When so many incidents, actions, events, behavior, ego clashes around the World are bringing serious metal agony, physical and emotional misery, discrimination, death and damages to the people and life on this planet, some people are busy trying to kill community benefiting REDD+ projects as if the project developer is indulging in robbery and crime. This is an absolute shame. Let us keep aside politics and egos. Let local communities in these forest areas enhance their living standards without exploitation, deforestation, degradation and logging of forest areas, but through the income from REDD+ carbon credits. Since the income sources other than exploitation of forest are very limited for the local communities due to various reasons, let us not forget the fact that REDD+ is one of the best route for improved livelihoods and societal progress.
10) KMS is not entitled to 40% of the carbon credits as was wrongly mentioned in the note. KMS share is much lower. 40% is a wrong statement in your note. You have considered only national and provincial government share. You have not considered the amounts due to the public treasury, forest concession fees, tax payable. Let us not misguide the readers with incomplete and misleading information please. KMS respect the principle of proportionality and relevant national government rulings.
11) Dragging into public and intimidating and blackmailing the REDD+ project developers like this by writing baseless allegations and malicious statements in social media and other websites is unfair. Attempt is made conduct legal trails on internet. Conceptualizing and implementing a REDD+ project with an objective of the upliftment of the communities is a crime committed by us? Trying to hurt and damage the livelihoods and potential improvements with respect to the local communities is nothing short of a crime against humanity. Everyone must understand and be aware that respective honourable governments and respective crediting standards bodies are fully equipped and supremely competent to check and ensure the strict compliance by project developer with all required statutory and process elements of the REDD+ project registration and issuance of carbon credits. It looks like there is some political vendetta behind these false allegations when KMS do give utmost importance to the full acceptance and participation of the community for successful implementation of REDD+ project.
12) Please do not conduct legal trail or castigate REDD+ project developers on the website by writing text which shows the project developer in bad light. In some REDD+ project cases project developer may never reply. In such scenario, unsubstantiated and baseless allegations will continue remain on the internet which is demotivating and misleading to the international community which may have a major negative impact on the international community’s resolve to support REDD+ projects to enhance the overall development of forest communities. Support of international community is a critical aspect to the protection of the remaining rain forests on this planet.
13) It is mentioned in the note that this project is a well-documented scam. This project is not a well-documented scam. Certainly, this is a well-documented and well implemented REDD+ project with genuine implementation and by showing facts, figures and implementation original pictures in the project documentation. Please note that implementation and spread of developmental activities within the project areas and surroundings is a continuous process and not a one stroke one time activity. It is pertinent to note that various organizations from various countries including from Europe had communicated to us verbally and in writing hugely appreciating this REDD+ project initiative, project implementation and relevant technical documentation.
14) Our address and contact numbers are given to the local communities and signatories. There is no concealment or hiding of information.
15) We never took signatures of any person in a wrong way. Same persons whose name is there on agreements only signed the agreements. We had adequate community meetings in project areas. Community had the full opportunity to participate in the decision making process and thereby make the stake holder consultation process more effective which clearly shows that not only mere consultation but the free, prior and informed consent was obtained.
16) In the note, it says that local authorities are not aware of KMS REDD+ Project. It is totally untrue. Years back, we have submitted project implementation information and copies of legal approvals obtained from Honourable National Ministry of Environment and sustainable Development, KMS agreements signed with sector/chiefdom chiefs, REDD+ project area maps, etc. in writing to the Honourable Governor offices in all six provinces. This REDD+ project is managed as a well-informed with meaningful involvement of all stakeholders, including indigenous local people.
17) In the note, it is recommended to KMS that KMS to cooperate for the cancellation of agreements with communities since we did not follow principles of FPIC. This is totally untrue and baseless allegation which does not have any merit. Community consent was achieved by the collective efforts. With ulterior motives asking for cancellation of this REDD+ project will inflict serious damage to local communities and host country and other stake holders.
18) It is mentioned in the note that Honourable Tshuapa Governor has opposed KMS approach. It is true that Honourable Governor has raised some concerns about the lack of presence of Governor Office representatives in the process of REDD+ project lease agreements signing with respect to Verra VCS 2320 project via letter dated 11th September 2021 with Secretary General, National Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. Subsequent to that letter the Secretary General has clarified about the KMS REDD+ Project to Honourable Governor. KMS has also independently replied with all relevant clarifications to Honourable Governor of Tshuapa on 28th September 2021 by sending a copy of the reply letter to Secretary General Office in Kinshasa. KMS had provided all necessary explanation adequately and evidences of community meetings held including pictures taken during meetings showing the very presence of Vice Governor of the Province and Governor’s secretariat officials, Sector/Chiefdom Chiefs and Territory Administrators, during which time Honourable Governor was not present in the provincial capital.
19) With respect to the statement in the allegation sheet where reference is made to one of our other REDD+ project in Papua New Guinea, the explanation provided by one Mr.Jerry Geno who is from one of the land owners groups gives you some decent indication of the facts on the ground. The same is available on REDD Monitor website which is reproduced below for immediate reference. The explanation provided by the land owner is self-explanatory and do not need any further explanation from our side. Even after reading this if someone thinks that KMS did misbehave or indulged in a scam we cannot really help them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this project or its implementation. The local communities are participating in this project 100%. The project is doing well on all fronts including obtaining the necessary clarifications in the light of proposed moratorium on Verra VCS REDD+ projects in PNG, even though the proposed moratorium is still not yet been implemented or made into a law. Please understand. Prejudiced approach is unfair and dangerous. Facts are there to see on ground with local communities. If anyone further wants to investigate on this REDD+ project in PNG, they can directly communicate with local communities.
30 March 2022 at 6:51 am
We people of Papuan Waria under the 4 Incorporated Land Groups, Pore, Mawae, Konoma and Kwazulu ILG cannot understand our Governor. He has supported us from day one since 2015 to undertake REDD+ project in Papuan Waria Valley of Oro Province.
The Governor supported the project due to his advocacy towards protection and conservation of rainforests areas. We also supported his advocacy because in our various resolutions we had stopped mining, logging and oil palm planting in the Papuan Sadia Valley. In our various meeting we all agreed to protect our rainforest for our children’s future.
The Governor also appointed a project officer within Oro Provincial Governnent to oversee our project ( name known). This is how we got our motto for our Landowner company, Papuan Waria Rainforest Limited. That is ‘ For our Children’s Future’s.
We, the ILG Chairman’s and Landowner Company Officials had meet meet the Governor eight times in various occasions and three written briefs with three submissions. For the submissions, there were no feedback although verbally in two occasions he promised to support us financially but no vail. Except for Oro Administration who supported us with K10,000 for the ILG process.
It was only in July of 2021, in our final update meeting in Oro Province he abruptly attended and agreed and supported our projects except that we must come under the Northern Province Resource Limited( NPRL) a self Company owned by the Oro Provincial Government. And the proceeds must be chanelled through the NPRL for service delivery and development purpose. This arrangement we, landowners totally disagreed. We did not want a middle men to manage our land use and affairs. Not only that we want benefits to come directly to the landowners who can prioritized the development aspirations of the people and to avoid political interference in the project.
Not only that the Governor wanted us to get Cifor Incraft to be the developer of our project. We, landowners also rejected that as we were undertaking REDD+ project under the voluntary scheme and all along we wanted to seek out investors and agreements made directly with us landowners.
The Governor did not like our arrangement and this resulted in a sudden u turn and this we expected it will to happen as a politician who wants to manage projects in the province. Oro Provincial Administration supported us all along. We have Support Letters to verify that.
For the National Government and government agencies, CCDA and NFA supported and assisted us since 2015 including DLPP on the ILG process CCDA provided us necessary guidance under the framework.
We have exhausted the government process to get the far. We have Support Letters from NFA and CCDA of the project.
In summary, the REDD+ project in Papua Waria Valley is supported by Oro Provincial Government and Adminstration and the Government of PNG including Government agencies. And Governor of Oro has supported the project from day one. His change of heart is due to our reluctance to come under his arrangements of which we outrightly reject.
Thank you all.
11 April 2022 at 12:40 am
Dear National and International Community, We people of Papuan Waria under the 4 Incorporated Land Groups, Pore, Mawae, Konoma and Kwazulu ILG cannot understand our Governor. He has supported us from day one since 2015 to undertake REDD+ project in Papuan Waria Valley of Oro Province.
The Governor supported the project due to his advocacy towards protection and conservation of rainforests areas. We also supported his advocacy because in our various resolutions we had stopped mining, logging and oil palm planting in the Papuan Sadia Valley. In our various meeting we all agreed to protect our rainforest for our children’s future.
The Governor also appointed a project officer within Oro Provincial Governnent to oversee our project ( name known). This is how we got our motto for our Landowner company, Papuan Waria Rainforest Limited. That is ‘ For our Children’s Future’s.
We, the ILG Chairman’s and Landowner Company Officials had meet meet the Governor eight times in various occasions and three written briefs with three submissions. For the submissions, there were no feedback although verbally in two occasions he promised to support us financially but no vail. Except for Oro Administration who supported us with K10,000 for the ILG process.
It was only in July of 2021, in our final update meeting in Oro Province he abruptly attended and agreed and supported our projects except that we must come under the Northern Province Resource Limited( NPRL) a self Company owned by the Oro Provincial Government. And the proceeds must be channeled through the NPRL for service delivery and development purpose. This arrangement we, landowners totally disagreed. We did not want a middle men to manage our land use and affairs. Not only that we want benefits to come directly to the landowners who can prioritized the development aspirations of the people and to avoid political interference in the project.
Not only that the Governor wanted us to get Cifor Incraft to be the developer of our project. We, landowners also rejected that as we were undertaking REDD+ project under the voluntary scheme and all along we wanted to seek out investors and agreements made directly with us landowners.
The Governor did not like our arrangement and this resulted in a sudden u turn and this we expected it will to happen as a politician who wants to manage projects in the province. Oro Provincial Administration supported us all along. We have Support Letters to verify that.
For the National Government and government agencies, CCDA and NFA supported and assisted us since 2015 including DLPP on the ILG process CCDA provided us necessary guidance under the framework.
We have exhausted the government process to get the far. We have Support Letters from NFA and CCDA of the project.
In summary, the REDD+ project in Papua Waria Valley is supported by Oro Provincial Government and Administration and the Government of PNG including Government agencies. And Governor of Oro has supported the project from day one. His change of heart is due to our reluctance to come under his unprofessional arrangements of which we out rightly reject. Politically motivated illegal propaganda with ulterior motives is not fair and totally unprofessional. In the disguise of advocacy on forest protection and conservation targeting communities and making them suffer as they were suffering for decades under this administration is not fair. Fake advocacy is not good for country or its communities. Local communities interests are paramount and critical. Indulging in maligning campaigns about our REDD project on internet like twitter, redd monitor and other websites are nothing but false, malicious, mischievous, politically motivated and legally punishable. Taking information from some one who is jealous of this REDD project progress and writing the dictated text on internet as if it is a fact is highly unacceptable and totally illegal. We strongly urge all outsiders to stop writing false and wild allegations and misguide the international community. This project is having 100% participation by communities and this is a genuine REDD+ project. We thank you all for understanding the facts.
20) The word scam is used very easily and generously in the note. This hurts and the language used may kindly be more professional and the text used remain to the subject point. Abusing and using derogatory words is not fair. At the same time it is perfectly fine for any stake holder to raise genuine concerns on any REDD+ project. We do not object to that. Please, with respect to any REDD+ project, try to investigate and look at the root cause of this malicious campaign on various websites and social media. Understand the underlying elements and ulterior motives of the enemies of people, state and humanity at large. Local communities in many of the REDD+ projects do not use internet or social media. They live in forests. They are rarely equipped to counter your statements or write their side of the story on internet and social media. Some NGOs may sometimes get confused with facts and the real intentions of the project developer. Misunderstandings if any need to be sorted out with adequate discussions and cooperation. We need to be realistic to the project circumstances with an objective of overall improvement of local communities, poverty alleviation and biodiversity protection.