land grab

Battle of the SABLs intensifies

On 12 Jul, 2011 By rait man With 1 Comments

By Warren Dutton

Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal has established a Commission of Inquiry into the SABLs [special agricultural and business leases], which is a good and I believe well intentioned step.

However there are definitely forces within the system, and perhaps even within the process itself, that will be working hard to maintain the status of the bad SABLs, so the ECPNG [ecumenical council of PNG] really needs to present the strongest possible submission to the Commission of Inquiry.

Concerns about conflicts of interest on SABL land grab inquiry

On 11 Jul, 2011 By tok stret

Two of the most senior people appointed to Papua New Guinea's Commission of Inquiry into the country's enormous land grab may have serious conflicts of interest that could taint the whole Commission process if they do not step aside.

Papua New Guinea's land grab has seen control of over 5 million hectares of land taken from customary landowners in dubious Special Business and Agriculture Leases that are often seen as a smokescreen for the logging industry.

Confusion over SABL Commission of Inquiry continues

On 07 Jul, 2011 By rait man

The confusion over whether a Commission of Inquiry has been appointed to investigate Special Purpose Business and Agriculture leases, which we first reported on 3 days ago - Confusion over Land Grab Commission of Inquiry - has deepened with the publication of a further newspaper advert, this time in The National.

Time is right for a different development path

On 05 Jul, 2011 By Effrey

Papua New Guinean's faces a vitally important choice. Should we continue to implement an imported and failed model of development, which is based on unrestrained capitalism, or return to our roots, rediscover our National Goals and follow a more Melanesian development path?

SABL Land Grab: An Open Letter to the Prime Minister

On 24 Jun, 2011 By Effrey With 2 Comments

The advert below was published in the Post Courier newspaper today, Friday 24 June.

PMs land reform promises a sham

On 21 Jun, 2011 By rait man

 By Peter Korugl*

  On May 5, Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal announced that a Commission of Inquiry (COI) was to be established into the issue of Special Agricultural and Business Leases (SABLs) over customary land in Papua New Guinea. 

Abal said the COI would investigate the granting of SABLs to ensure that all legal requirements were followed and that the leases were being used for the purposes intended in the Lands Act. 

TI pushes for SABL land probe in PNG

On 03 Jun, 2011 By rait man With 1 Comments

Transparency International has added its name to the list of organisations pushing for the government to make good on its promise of a Commission of Inquiry into the huge land grab which has seen over 5 million hectares of customary land locked away in Special Agriculture Leases. TI Chairperson, Lawrence Stephens says there is huge concern that the leases were improperly executed and will result in large scale logging without providing agricultural development.

Reflections on people power

On 01 Jun, 2011 By rait man

By Martyn Namorong*

I have written this in response to critics of mine who believe a lot of what I have written previously are lofty political statements that have no tangible benefit. This essay is not a protest manual. Like Clausewitz’s On War it is an exploration of the phenomenon of protest in its tangible, physical, and psychological manifestations.

Madang Forum commends Acting PM Sam Abal

On 15 May, 2011 By rait man

From Little Green Palai

THE Madang Indigenous People's Forum (MIPF) have commended the Acting Prime Minister, Sam Abal, for his move in calling for a Commission of Inquiry into the Special Agriculture and Business Leases.

Speaking through their chairperson, Mr Alfred Kaket, the people said:

Listen online: PNG Opposition grilled over agriculture leases

On 13 May, 2011 By rait man With 1 Comments

Opposition leader, Belden Namah, was grilled yesterday (Thursday) on talk-back radio over his position on the government's Commission of Inquiry into Special Purpose Business and Agriculture leases.

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