In compliance with court orders issued in May the Department of Lands has cancelled the SABL titles over portions 113C and 143C in Collingwood Bay, Oro Province.

This follows a successful legal battle by the customary landowners with the substantial support and backing of their Governor, Gary Juffa.

The cancellation of both the Head Title and the sub-leases have been registered by the Registrar of Titles, effective 7 July, 2014.

This means the lease titles held by Ang Agro and its company cohorts including KLK are null and void and these companies no longer have any legal justification to remain in Collingwood Bay.

Local landowners say they expect the companies to immediately move on and out of their territory as the people of Collingwood Bay and the Courts in PNG have spoken.

The Okena-Goto-Karata Portion in Tufi and Musa-Pongani have also been declared null and void and duly cancelled by the State. This means those companies claiming to be holding legitimate leases should be made aware they are no longer welcome into these areas.

The United Church is also claiming the Utan Lease that they hold has been illegally claimed by these same rogue companies.