Customary Land

SABL petition anniversary marks PNG's greatest ever scandal

Submitted by ACTNOW on Wed, 21/02/2018 - 05:45

Today is the first anniversary of the presentation of a 10,000 signature petition to the Department of Lands demanding the cancellation of the SABL leases. 2018, also marks five-years since the SABL Commission of Inquiry exposed the full extent of the illegal land grab, which affects more than 10% of the whole country.

But despite repeated promises from the O’Neill government to cancel the leases, stretching back to 2013, almost nothing has been done.

Message from Tavolo villagers: “We did not sign SABL”

Submitted by ACTNOW on Tue, 20/02/2018 - 07:12

Pepetua Marangona, Tavolo village, Pomio

Source: Scott Waide, My Land, My Country

Tavolo village in Pomio, East New Britain, is a place not many in Waigani know about.

How SABLs are disrupting communities and creating conflict

Submitted by ACTNOW on Mon, 19/02/2018 - 10:42

Source: Scott Waide, My Land, My Country

UN calls out PNG over litany of abuses

Submitted by ACTNOW on Sat, 10/02/2018 - 06:26

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, right, meets PM Peter O'Neill Source: OHCHR

UN High Commissioner highlights key issues including corruption, the SABL land grab and human rights abuses in the extractive industries. Read his full statement here.

SOURCE : Stefan Armbruster, SBS

Agri-tourism a big opportunity for Papua New Guinea

Submitted by ACTNOW on Wed, 31/01/2018 - 10:18

A PNG potato farmer. Source: EMTEK Multi-Media

Source: Sarah Byrne, Business Advantage PNG

With the focus on major resources projects, Papua New Guinea is missing the opportunity to develop a thriving agri-tourism sector, Papua New Guinea Women in Agricultural Development Foundation (PNGWiADF) President, Maria Linibi tells Business Advantage PNG.

APEC Minister Organising Huge New Land Grab

Submitted by ACTNOW on Tue, 23/01/2018 - 09:51

The government has yet to cancel all the illegal SABL leases, used to defraud communities of more than 5 million hectares of land but they are already pressing ahead with plans for another land grab; this time with the commercial banks as the beneficiaries.

APEC Minister Organising Huge New Land Grab

Submitted by ACTNOW on Tue, 23/01/2018 - 06:49

APEC Minister Justin Tkatchenko’s plan to allow commercial banks to take customary land as security for loans is another huge land grab, says community advocacy group, ACT NOW!

“The government has yet to cancel all the illegal SABL leases, used to defraud communities of more than 5 million hectares of land. Instead, they are pushing ahead with plans for another land grab”, says Campaign Coordinator, Eddie Tanago.

Winning Silverbacks rugby sevens team to promote ACT NOW! campaigns

Submitted by ACTNOW on Thu, 23/11/2017 - 17:14

The Silverbacks rugby sevens team has been presented with training tops and t-shirts bearing the ACT NOW! name and logo in recognition of their successful run through several Port Moresby tournaments.

The team will be wearing the tops at training and in their pre-game warm ups to promote ACT NOW! and it campaigns to the rugby crazy community in the Nation’s capital.

PNG's Population Explosion

Population explosion makes protection of customary land vital

Submitted by ACTNOW on Mon, 20/11/2017 - 07:33

By Eddie Tanago

Papua New Guinea’s population is growing at an explosive rate, which makes retaining control of customary land vitally important. Customary land is very valuable. It sustains a huge economy and provides employment for 3 million local farmers. Customary land is also vital for food security and it makes people strong and self-reliant.