SABL

Inquiry needs more time

On 12 Oct, 2011 By rait man

The time frame of three-months for the Commission of Inquiry into SABL ends on October 21, but so much has yet to be done, reports the Post Courier. 

The enormous number of irregularies discovered in many of the SABLs during preliminary findings as part of Terms of Reference (TOR) has seen 75 cases now before the Commission of Inquiry. 

Since files were opened for mention two weeks ago, submitted evidence from all interested parties in the 75 SABL’s files revealed activities of;  

Prelude to the Commission of Inquiry

On 09 Oct, 2011 By rait man

By Roderick Kanama

Rod will be providing daily updates from the Commission of Inquiry on this blog from October 10, in this article he provides an overview of SABLs and the issues confronting the CoI.

Land acquisition for developmental purposes has been a Government policy since 1979 when the instrument for Special Agriculture and Business Leases (SABL) was established, later incorporated into the Land Act in 1996. Its application had honourable intentions and was designed to achieve two main objectives;

Police attack villagers protesting land grab

On 09 Oct, 2011 By rait man

Reports from Rovang village in the Pomio area of East New Britain say that young men protesting against logging have been beaten by police with fan belts and tree branches, according to the PNG Exposed blog.

It is alleged that an aircraft from Tropic Air, operated by notorious Malaysian logging company Rimbunan Hijau, flew the police into Palmalmal from Kokopo. Kokopo police said they were not aware of this.

Landowners urge govt to end SABLs

On 07 Oct, 2011 By Tim

By Jimmy Kalebe 

Landowners in East Sepik have called on the national government to do away with special purpose business lease agreement (SPABL).

 In a forum conducted by Turubu Eco Forestry yesterday, many landowners said they were not fully informed of the agreement and its implications.  The landowners said much of their land had been alienated through SPABLs without their full consent for nearly a century.  They feel this is “totally wrong and must be returned”.

Inquiry reveals many flaws

On 04 Oct, 2011 By rait man

By Luana Paniu

Inconsistencies and flaws found during the preliminary stages of the Commission of Inquiry into the Special Agriculture and Business Leases (SABL’s) found that almost all Departments lacked basic logistics, management and coordination to effectively carry out what was required of them. Findings also included lack of proper monitoring of officers and file movement, funding and manpower.

Australian owns Emirau island

On 30 Sep, 2011 By rait man

Emirau is an island in New Ireland province of PNG.  Evidence at the SABL inquiry has emerged that Emirau and its surrounding waters are owned by an Australian, reports the Post Courier newspaper. 

This is the result of an agreement signed on November 10, 2004 by former Kavieng MP Ben Micah and businessman Edward Carr, the counsel assiting the inquiry Paul Tusais said last week. 

Department of Lands admits not following proper process

On 22 Sep, 2011 By rait man

Controversy over land sales

On 22 Sep, 2011 By rait man

By Luana Paniu

Three portions of land situated on the island of New Hanover are the subject of controversy with allegations of illegal SABL’s and selling of customary land to foreign investors, reports the Post Courier.

Earlier last week, allegations were made against the Department of Lands and Physical Planning by former Custodian of Trust Land, Manasupe Zurenuoc, that three Special Agriculture and Business Leases were illegally issued for the said portions of Land without reaching his (then) office first. 

Landowners not consulted over SABLs

On 20 Sep, 2011 By rait man

By Luana Paniu

Two of New Ireland’s most scenic islands are practically off limits to their own people under the Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SPABL). 

They are Emirau in the Mussau Group of Islands and New Hanover, situated North West of mainland New Ireland. These were revelations made at the Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday last week by the former Secretary for the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLLGA) who was the then Custodian of Trust Land.

Titles Registrar testifies

On 14 Sep, 2011 By rait man

By Luana Paniu

  THE Registrar of Titles, Henry Wasa yesterday appeared before the Commission of Inquiry for the third time to give evidence about eight missing title files. 

Mr Wasa, who was summoned last week by Chief Commissioner John Numapo and Commissioners, Alois Jerewai and Andy Mirou, had also been issued another directive to produce information about alleged tampering of files prior to the set up of the CoI.

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