And while that may be a satisfactory resolution, there are nagging issues with this case - especially the suggestion that there was complicity between the illegal logging and the Forestry Department. While the community leaders form Boston say they reached out to Forestry multiple times and got no satisfactory response - including messages to the hotline - Minister Habet - wrongly says Forestry jumped on it right away:
Reporter-
"In this case, there was an allegation that people within the Forestry Department who are colluding with the licensed logger. What can you say in relation to that? How is that being investigated?"
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"I wouldn't be able to tell if there's an allegation, that's an allegation, I don't know who will try to find out or take to court or do the investigation but, our Forest Department jumped on it right away. As a matter of fact, the person who was in charge of the Orange walk station was there the week before. So they were there seeing what was happening up to maybe two days before the end of the season."
Reporter-
"But in this case of the accused aside even though it may not be a formal allegation but they are saying that the same forestry officer who went on the scene the Friday was the one who had been there before and said it's all okay despite them saying this guy is coming into Boston Village when he's not licensed to come into our village."
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"But who is saying that?"
Reporter-
"The chairman has alleged this given that an allegation, which is serious like that, has been made. Do you investigate? You're a forestry officer."
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"We do. We have a process to do that. So, if that is the case, an allegation has been made and a report is made to the forest Department then the forest department will do it's due diligence."
