The government still has plenty of work to do to redress the injustice of the SABL land grab and illegal logging.

ACT NOW! is cautiously optimistic the government is moving in the right direction by cancelling the SABL leases, but this is only a first step.

West Sepik is one of the most heavily logged Provinces in Papua New Guinea, but after decades of logging, local people are asking where has all the money gone and whatever happened to all the promised development?

Jamal S Kimes

Today some 72 ILG Chairmen from Amanab FMA Blocks 1-4 meet in a secluded Village Resort in Vanimo again to discuss important matters affecting them as a result of the logging operations in their area.

People living in the Pomio district say the three local men who have been vocal in a logging company owned newspaper, supporting SABL leases and the operations of Rimbunan Hijau, do not represent the majority.

The local people say it is completely wrong to claim the Sigite Mukus Integrated Rural Development Project is an SABL success story, as claimed by Mathew Lila, James lelrea lutkal and Bruno Tevolman.

Dear Minister Benny Allen,

RE: ENDORSING THE SABL LAND GRAB

Thank you for your response through the media [copied below] to the demands of affected landholders and the Prime Minister for answers on the SABL land grab. 

Jessica Mesa and her child, Heisi, critically ill with complications from TB. Photo: Benedict Moran   

Hosting the 2018 APEC Summit in Port Moresby will not boost Papua New Guinea’s development and will in fact lead to the deaths of many more people than it will assist, says community advocacy group, ACT NOW!

PM confirms cancellation of all licenses to thwart illegal land grabbing

By BARNEY ORERE, POST COURIER

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has confirmed that the National Executive Council has cancelled all licences and SABLs are illegal.

He said this in response to a community advocacy group Act Now which had been vocal about the land grab issue in relation to SABL – special agriculture and business leases.

The Prime Minister’s announcement of an Administrative Inquiry into the Manumanu land deals and naval base relocation is just another exercise in covering up corruption and avoiding justice.

We have seen numerous lengthy and expensive Commission’s of Inquiry over the years but no action to address the corrupt behavior they uncover. It will be the same with the latest inquiry, whether it is termed as a Commission of Inquiry or an Administrative Inquiry.

Lands Minister Benny Allen is blocking the implementation of government decisions to end the SABL land grab and return stolen land to its customary owners.

Since 2013, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has repeatedly promised the unlawful SABL leases will be cancelled, and in June 2014 the National Executive Council endorsed the recommendation from the Commission of Inquiry that the leases be revoked.

The Minister for Lands has re-stated his plan to convert unlawful SABL leases to another form of land tenure using Incorporated Land Groups. The Minister was speaking in response to a 10,000 signature petition calling for the cancelation of the unlawful SABL leases.