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.
By Luana Paniu
Inconsistencies and flaws found during the preliminary stages of the Commission of Inquiry into the Special Agriculture and Business Leases (SABL’s) found that almost all Departments lacked basic logistics, management and coordination to effectively carry out what was required of them. Findings also included lack of proper monitoring of officers and file movement, funding and manpower.
Emirau is an island in New Ireland province of PNG. Evidence at the SABL inquiry has emerged that Emirau and its surrounding waters are owned by an Australian, reports the Post Courier newspaper.
This is the result of an agreement signed on November 10, 2004 by former Kavieng MP Ben Micah and businessman Edward Carr, the counsel assiting the inquiry Paul Tusais said last week.
By Luana Paniu
Three portions of land situated on the island of New Hanover are the subject of controversy with allegations of illegal SABL’s and selling of customary land to foreign investors, reports the Post Courier.
Earlier last week, allegations were made against the Department of Lands and Physical Planning by former Custodian of Trust Land, Manasupe Zurenuoc, that three Special Agriculture and Business Leases were illegally issued for the said portions of Land without reaching his (then) office first.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
