PHOTO: This area in Bewani, north-west PNG, was logged under a Special Agricultural Business Lease. (ABC: Eric Tlozek)

Reprinted from The National, 17 October 2024

WE, the landowners of Portion 199 of Bewani in Vanimo-Green, West Sepik, want the provincial and national authorities to investigate what we see as illegal land-grabbing by a palm oil developer.

During a meeting at the Ossima station on July 28, 50 landowner leaders from nine villages resolved that we did not consent to Bewani Oil Palm Development Ltd using our land to repeat the mistakes of the Bewani SABL.

We are the villagers from Ossima, Omoi, Omula, Oiru, Krisa, Awol, Issi No.2, Elau and Osol, and we know there was no consultation or awareness carried out prior to moving onto our land.

All regulatory and statutory requirements and compliance issues have not been dealt with.

They remain outstanding.

We call on the provincial and national lands office to do the right thing and give the Area B land back to us.

Bewani Palm Oil Development Ltd must not mislead us, the customary landowners.

Following July 28 meeting, resolutions were penned into a letter and send to the Department of Lands. The letter was also copied the provincial lands division and the National Forest Authority and its provincial office.

We do not want a repeat of the former Bewani SABL (special agriculture business lease).

It is our understanding that during the reign of the O’Neill government, all SABL licences were cancelled, including the Bewani SABL.

We do not want the landowner company grabbing and working on our land. We have been cheated before and do not want a repeat of this.

For the past 15 years the landowner company, which is owned by four people, did not serve the interest of all our people.

We stress that we do not want a repeat of the Bewani SABL and for the landowner company to acquire our land, specified as Portion 199 covering a total 98,977 hectares.

Landowners Charles Mani, David Osi, Francis Isai, Sailas Aino, Mark Anpe, Johnson Iro, Jonathan Imabus, James Aie, Bill Rues, Calestus Peka, Iki Saso, Simon Tapi, Joe Bawei, Dominic Yos, on behalf of our clans and villagers. Bewani, Sandaun Province.