The Board of NLTB held its first meeting for 2004 on Wednesday 25th February. Major issues of public interest that were discussed are listed below:

1. ALTA/NLTA Paper - The Board's position has been confirmed and was presented to the Talanoa Session last week. It would not be appropriate to release details now given the discussions at the Talanoa Session. The discussions were fruitful and NLTB's position was made clear to all parties present.

2. Standardisation of Mahogany Leases - The Board was kept informed of progress in this area. This was an initiative that was started in 2003 which tried to ensure that all leases under mahogany were standardised. Some disputes in the past have been caused by differing lease terms, and this exercise will assist in ensuring that the benefits to the landowners are pegged at a standard that is applicable to everyone.

3. IT Roadmap - The Board has approved in principle the recommendation by Management and the NLTB Standing Committee to accept the bid by an American based company to install the SAP Program, in response to the Requirements Specifications, as part of NLTB's upgrading of its IT system.

The call for Expressions of Interest attracted 14 interested parties out of which 4 were shortlisted to submit detailed tender. Price was not the only consideration, as the expectations of the Board for the installation of a fully integrated system was the primary consideration. SAP is the number one enterprise-wide financial software solution in the world. The solution offered is a completely outsourced one.

4. Difficulties in Obtaining Consent - This has been highlighted before. The Board has now approved amendments to the current regulations to allow a much easier process to be followed in terms of obtaining consent. The new procedures will now need to be tabled at the Provincial Council meetings and Great Council of Chiefs meeting before it is finally adopted.

5. Income - The Board was informed that the final figures for 2003 are being audited. It is likely that the Board will post a loss given the downturn in cane proceed experienced in the last two quarters of 2003. 2004 has started slowly but figures are picking up in terms of performance right through out the Republic. February performance was on target.

Reorganisation of Work - Managers of the Operations Division met in early January to plot a way forward for the organisation. The outcome of this has seen the establishment of specialised teams right throughout our Regions. These teams will concentrate on areas such as arrears, client relations, etc. One of the aims of this exercise is to ensure that productivity right throughout the organisation is improved. Arrears had deteriorated over the last 12 months and a lot of effort will be required in 2004. The client relations team will be looking at maintaining good relations with all stakeholders of NLTB. This work will include attending meetings and enlightening the landowning units about issues that are often highlighted in the press.

Land Development - Work at Sakoca and Sauniwaqa are continuing, this will inevitably mean the relocation of squatters. This is necessary if we are to proceed with these developments. Squatters are by definition illegally staying on land that does not belong to them.

Renovations - This has almost being completed now. The car park has been finished, and a stand by generator and water tanks are part of the new facilities now available at Head Office.

Talanoa - The NLTB was a part of the Talanoa Session recently held and the Board's position was properly clarified to the two parties. A commitment was also given that information will be available at our Regional Offices on the future of leases for those tenants whose leases are about to expire. This information should be available from the 1st of July 2004.

K BAKANI
GENERAL MANAGER