An interview with Frédéric Mousseau from the Oakland Institute, which recently released a report On Our Land: Modern Land Grabs Reversing Independence in Papua New Guinea.
“With corrupt government officials from implementing agencies riding shotgun for them, opportunistic loggers masquerading as agro-forestry developers are prowling our countryside, scoping opportunities to take advantage of gullible landowners and desperate for cash clan leaders.” [Report 1 p242]
SABL Commission of Inquiry Report 2: Pages 359-384
“The C.O.I recommends that SABL Portion 817C be revoked on the basis that the integrity of the Lands Group Registration process and the Land Investigation process fundamental to good title was flawed and must be nullified” [p382]
The government is misleading the people with claims in todays newspapers it is decisively dealing with the recommendations of the SABL land grab [see below].
The TRUTH is the Prime Minister has IGNORED the Commission of Inquiry recommendation that 38 of 42 leases be REVOKED and the land returned to customary landowners.
The Commission found the SABL leases were unlawful and void but the government is leaving the land in the hands of foreign logging companies who have colluded with government officials to defraud customary landowners.
SABL Commission of Inquiry Report 1: Pages 198-206
“We found serious flaws and irregularities in the granting of the SABL… Not all the landowners gave their consent to lease out their land… the whole SABL [is] defective and therefore, null and void” [p204]
FOR development to be fully recognised in Papua New Guinea, it must be initiated and collectively agreed by the landowner themselves, says John Chitoa from the Bismarck Ramu group.
"We are therefore demanding that the PNG government cancel all SABLs and return the titles to their customary landowners.
