RAIL inks deal to plant 900ha of oil palm ~oct2010

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THE Ramu Agri Industries Ltd (RAIL) will plant more than 900ha of oil palm on a customary land in Morobe under a sub-lease agreement with landowners.The deal was signed between RAIL and the Aridagin Incorporated Land Group (ILG) last Wednesday, under which the company will plant 919ha of oil palm on the Ngaru No. 1 customary land.In a statement, RAIL said for the first time in the company’s history since its inception in the Morobe and Madang provinces, an agreement had been reached between the company and an ILG in Umi Azera at Markham district.RAIL general manager Jamie Graham assured the landowners that his company would work closely in partnership with the Aridagin ILG to make sure the people reaped the benefits from this pioneering project.He added this was a first of its kind in the province for the company and both parties would benefit in the long term.Responding on behalf of the Aridagin ILG, chairman James Nerius thanked RAIL for the partnership and paid tribute to all members who have been a part of the whole process towards the agreement signing last Wednesday.A clan leader, Martin Pari, also thanked the company and assured RAIL that he was proud to have his clan involved in such a lucrative partnership project “where my people would benefit highly from”.RAIL continues to develop and support community projects that achieve national objectives while protecting and furthering the interests of its shareholders.RAIL said it would ensure that it always operated with care for the environment for long-term sustainability of the project.