By Eva Kuson

Five senior officials from the Department of Lands and Physical Planning (DLPP) have presented their affidavits to the inquiry. The list includes Acting Secretary for DLPP Romily Kila-Pat, Acting Deputy Secretary for Customary Land Services Adrian Abbey, Henry Wasa Registrar of titles, Andie Malo Director Customary Leases and Iruna Rogakila Director for Incorporated Land Group. In their presentation of affidavits they mainly highlighted to the inquiry the procedures and laws within the constitution and mandated powers of the Department to issue SABLs.

The senior officials handed in their affidavits in order of seniority explaining the processes involved from the top level down. Though their corporation was compromising to the inquiry, concerns were raised by the Commissioners to the Council Assisting that there should be more evidences provided in the affidavits that concern the issuance and particulars of SABL and not procedures. They asserted that time is limited and if such affidavits are presented it will prolong the inquiry processes. 

From the presentations there have been 55 files located, 18 are still missing and 2 are not registered SABL bringing a total to 75 SABLs. The Commissioners gave strong directives to make all efforts necessary to find the missing files and bring it before the enquiry as it is covered in the CoI Terms of References. Commissioners asserted that the conclusions of the inquiry will be brought before the parliament thus thorough investigations have to been done so that this SABL issues are addressed at all levels. They also called to the public and concerned parties having any interest in any of those SABLs to come forward and present their evidences and must have no fear of any criminal and civil accountability as they are protected under the CoI Act.

Deadlines for all sworn affidavits for Statutory Declaration is Friday 26th of August and concerns have been raised as to how people from outside centers will lodge their evidences. Council Assisting Simon Ketan assured that the deadline maybe extended to accommodate them and CoI will also be heard in outside provinces for those who cannot make it to Port Moresby.

Next set of Departments and organizations to be called in will be the Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) and Department Of Environment and Conservation (DEC). Response from the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) has not been favorable. The Commissioners assured the council and the public that it will do all it can within the powers of CoI to bring them in. 

The next hearing will take place on Thursday (25th of August) beginning with the PNGFA Managing Director Kanawi Pouru regarding SABL particulars in issuing of forest clearing. This week concludes the evidence brought in by DLPP and next week the inquiry will begin to look at PNGFA. 

After all files and processes have been clarified a publication with the respective names of the SABLs will be put out and the inquiry will call for all 75 SABL title holders and concerned persons to come forward and present evidences.