Source: Post Courier

A CLAN from a village in Central Province has warned public that they will not allow any illegal land grabbing by outsiders.

Men from Gorohaga clan in Tubusereia village, led by clan leader Nou Tamarua, have come out clear stating they will vigorously defend their land.

The subjected land, known as portion 2734c Dogura, covers more than 300 hectares and is situated in Bautama outside the Port Moresby town boundary.

The developers of their land, Pacific Medical Centre, are alleged to have made illegal deals with certain individuals to develop that partciluar portion of land.

Mr Tamarau said this was an American-sponsored hospital and doctor training institute project proposal, sanctioned by the former Somare government in early 2000.

"This is clearly land grabbing," Mr Tamarua told the Post-Courier yesterday.

As soon as development work commenced, men hired by the developers started to clear the land, Central provincial police were brought in to stop the work, which included clearing gardens belonging to the Gorohaga Tubusereia clan members.

A confrontation between the Tubusereia villagers and the workers almost ended up in a big fight but police were on site to contain the situation.

"This is customary land belonging to the Gorohaga Koitabu, Motuans and the Koiari. We have a joint application that will be going through and all parties of this clan will be involved," said Mr Tamarua.

He said the Central Provin-cial Government was aware of the situation and had indicated it would assist its people fight this illegal land grabbing. It is believed that certain Koiari clans along with a faction of the Gorohaga Koiaris have given endorsement for the land to be used. "We have reason to believe that some compensation had been paid, although there is in place a law prohibiting the sale of customary land," he said.