SABL Commission of Inquiry Blog
The Papua New Guinea government has appointed a Commission of Inquiry to investigate a huge 'land grab' which has seen over 5 million hectares of land swallowed up in 99 year leases. These Special Agriculture and Business Leases (SABLs) are very controversial as it appears proper processes have not been followed, customary landholders have not given their informed consent and many leases are just a cover for clear-fell logging.
This dedicated blog site has been created to cover the Commission of Inquiry proceedings and bring you all the latest news both from inside the inquiry room and other media outlets.
PM moves to recoup K15m
By JEFFREY ELAPA, The National
THE commissioners of the special agriculture business leases (SABL) have been given an ultimatum of 30 days to produce the final report or refund the money approved for the inquiry to the State.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill told Parliament last Friday that if the 30 days expired without a suitable response, the commissioners would be referred to the appropriate authorities to recover the money and fees paid to them.
Source: The National
THE concepts of Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABL) and incorporated land groups (ILGs) are unreliable and should not be used for land reforms, an advocate said.
Director for Communal Land Development Dr Onne Rageau urged the National Land Development Programme and the government to instead engage customary law in land reforms.
He said the incorporated land group concept was confusing and a major impediment to customary land development.
By Jacob Pok, Post Courier
THE Prime Minister, his Ministers and all MPs with political privileges cannot comment on any commission of inquiry (CoI) report unless it is officially tabled in parliament and made public.
That’s the official position of the three commissioners heading the CoI into the Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABLs).
The National
THE government yesterday slammed the commission of inquiry into the special agriculture business leases (SABL) as disappointing and not in the interest of the nation.
Presenting a statement on the state of the inquiry, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said nearly K15 million and one-and-half years later, the three-men commission had produced only an interim report covering just three of the 16 terms of reference.
He said that was most disappointing.
Kundiawa Gembogl MP, Tobias Kulang, has stressed the need to protect the land and the environment for future generations.
“Land is our security. It is our hope for the future. When the extractive industries have exhausted the mineral, petroleum and the gas wealth on our land, what we will be left with is the land,” Mr Kulang said.
“The point is straight forward- our land is not for sale,” he said.
Unscrupulous foreign corporations and greedy papua new guineans are stealing land, breaking up communities, and depriving them of their sustenance using corrupt officials, lies and violence. The Government must do more to protect both state and customary land. Say NO to land alienation and land registration schemes!
Source: The National, Wednesday 27th March, 2013
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister says incompetent bureaucrats have given developers a "free run" by granting a series of controversial leases.
ABC Radio Australia
A Commission of Inquiry's been investigating more than 70 Special Agricultural and Business Leases covering more than five million hectares.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has received the Commission's interim report which he'll table when Parliament next sits.
Source: ABC - Liam Fox
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister has blasted his public service over the granting of controversial leases covering more than 10 per cent of the country.
In recent years more than 70 Special Agricultural and Business Leases, or SABLs, have been granted covering more than five million hectares.
Critics say the leases are a back-door way to clear-fell forests and many have been granted without the permission of traditional owners.
