Commission of Inquiry

Landowners not consulted over SABLs

On 20 Sep, 2011 By rait man

By Luana Paniu

Two of New Ireland’s most scenic islands are practically off limits to their own people under the Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SPABL). 

They are Emirau in the Mussau Group of Islands and New Hanover, situated North West of mainland New Ireland. These were revelations made at the Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday last week by the former Secretary for the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLLGA) who was the then Custodian of Trust Land.

Titles Registrar testifies

On 14 Sep, 2011 By rait man

By Luana Paniu

  THE Registrar of Titles, Henry Wasa yesterday appeared before the Commission of Inquiry for the third time to give evidence about eight missing title files. 

Mr Wasa, who was summoned last week by Chief Commissioner John Numapo and Commissioners, Alois Jerewai and Andy Mirou, had also been issued another directive to produce information about alleged tampering of files prior to the set up of the CoI.

31 SABLs never approved

On 07 Sep, 2011 By rait man

By Luana Paniu

Landowners crying foul over issues surrounding the 72 SPABLs in question, should be interested to know that the Department of Agriculture and Livestock never gave their approval for 31 of them, says the Post Courier.

DEC too busy to help landowners: Iamo

On 06 Sep, 2011 By rait man

By Luana Paniu  

People of remote Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Lease sites have the opportunity to air their grievances over proposed projects with potential environment risk but judging from the number of environmental issues surfacing, this has not been happening, reports the Post Courier.

Acting Secretary for Environment and Conservation, Dr Wari Iamo, clarified the processes and procedures within his department when appearing before the Commission of Inquiry last week. 

Lands Department fails to protect SABL files

On 02 Sep, 2011 By rait man

By Luana Paniu

THE Commission of Inquiry has made a shocking discovery – that Land Titles filing is so bad there is no guarantee whatsoever for titles issued under the Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SPABL) have been saved and protected.

Chief Commissioner John Numapo and Commissioners Alois Jerewai and Andy Mirou were clearly unimpressed when Registrar of Titles for the Department of Lands and Physical Planning, Henry Wasa told them the filing system is so poor and outdated, it is like a library card system.

Dion wants ENB excluded from SABL inquiry

On 01 Sep, 2011 By rait man

Lengthy processes surprise landowner

On 31 Aug, 2011 By rait man

By Luana Paniu

A landowner was surprised to learn about certain procedures and processes in the Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SPABL) after attending the Commission of Inquiry which began three weeks ago. 

David Kura, a landowner from Rikau village and a rep-resentative of the Rigula Oil Palm Estate which covers his village and two others, Gule and Levege. His village shares a common border with these villages. 