SABL

Post Courier reminds Abal of his commitment to land grab inquiry

On 03 Jun, 2011 By rait man

The Post Courier newspaper has used the occasion of World Environment Day and its Editorial Column to remind Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal of his commitment to set up a Commission of Inquiry into the Special Agriculture and Business Leases. SABLs have been misused as a vehicle to take control of more than 5 million hectares of customary land away from local people. Mr Abal made his commitment to set up an inquiry on May 5 but has not yet signed the instruments to make the Commission a reality.

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.

Papua New Guinea and multinational corporations

On 16 May, 2011 By rait man

By S. Gigi Aupong

Papua New Guinea is unashamedly dancing to the tune of multinational corporations. We are willing to break our own laws to make money for the rich.

Sir Arnold Amet has a right to be angry at how colonizers tricked us in the past into giving up our resources for nothing. However, he fails to see that the same thing is still happening in PNG, this time through multinational corporations.

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.

Opposition against Abal's Commission of Inquiry on land leases says Namah

On 07 May, 2011 By rait man With 3 Comments

Acting Prime Minister, Sam Abal’s decision to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SABLs) and subsequent suspension of forest clearance permits issued under such leases, has come under scathing attack from vocal Opposition MP, and PNG Party leader, Belden Namah.

Namah also says more stiff opposition is expected from stakeholders throughout Papua New Guinea.

Lands Minister's denial of a scam is beyond comprehension

On 07 May, 2011 By rait man With 1 Comments

By Lester Seri

Minister Lucas Dekena’s denial that “there is no scam, con or land grabbing in PNG” is the worst denial of the century made by any Minister in PNG. To make statements of denial while there are scores of documented evidence on land fraud starring at him is beyond comprehension. 

Commission of inquiry applauded: Post Courier

On 06 May, 2011 By rait man

The Special Agricultural and Business Leases (SABLs) over customary land has been the subject of much debate in recent months. On our part, we [Post Courier] have been investigating these land deals, and have done our part by exposing some of those fraudulent activities with the help of the affected landowners, non-government organisations and green groups, who have also been taking up the fight, on behalf of the village people who have lost their rights to their land in these dealings at the government and international levels. 

ACT NOW! congratulates Acting PM on land grab announcement

On 06 May, 2011 By Effrey With 2 Comments

ACT NOW! has congratulated the Acting Prime Minister, Sam Abal, on his announcement of a Commission of Inquiry into Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases and an immediate moratorium on any further deals.

“We applaud the Acting Prime Minister for recognizing these leases have been abused and the potentially devastating impacts they have on the lives of so many people,” said ACT NOW! Program Manager, Effrey Dademo.

Commission of Inquiry into Special Agriculture and Business Leases announced

On 06 May, 2011 By rait man

Acting Prime Minister, the Hon. Sam Abal MP, has announced the government’s intention to set up a Commission of Inquiry into the issue of Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases.

The Commission will investigate the grant of Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases covering some 5.2 million hectares of customary land to ensure all legal requirements have been followed and that the leases are being used for the purposes intended in the legislation.

Papua New Guinea Lands Minister rubbishes agriculture lease claims

On 05 May, 2011 By rait man

Papua New Guinea's Lands Minister has come out in the media to strongly back the controversial Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases which have been heavily criticized by landholders, NGOs, scientists and academics in PNG and overseas.

The leases have been described as a huge land grab, but the Minister apparently sees nothing wrong.

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