Olsem Wanem – The story of the Collingwood Bay SABLs

Source: EMTV, 23/12/2016

Many customary landowners in Papua New Guinea are still fighting to reclaim the title to their land leased out under Special Agricultural Business Leases (SABLs).

The people of Collingwood Bay in Tufi, Oro Province have been battling in court for years to reclaim the title to their land which has been leased under two separate SABLs.

In 2014 the National court declared this SABL as null and void.

The people of Collingwood Bay spoke to Olsem Wanem about their court battle and finally their victory to reclaiming the title to their land.

They shared their experiences of what it felt like knowing that their land was claimed by foreigners; and their land and resources exploited before their eyes.