Findings: Local Economy
Some employment has been provided
by ITC for local people. The ex-ITC workers present at a meeting held in
Ghoveo (4/4/97) claimed that the type of employment available for locals
was unskilled labour. According to the Logging Plan 1996, training workshops
are held regularly to update the skills of local staff. This was disputed
by all local ITC staff at the meeting. ITC may employ national staff but
it is often from Western and Central province where logging operations have
already occurred and local people from these provinces have gained skills.
These employees and the expatriate workforce reside at the logging camp
near Sisiga. It was reported at a second meeting in Ghoveo (6/4/97), that
they regularly consume alcohol and conduct themselves in an inappropriate
manner. The impact this has on nearby villages is difficult to determine
but resentment from Isabel workers is evident
