By Luana Paniu



The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SPABL) will be carrying out site visitations commencing next week for substantive hearings into SABL cases [pictured is the Commission Chamber in Port Moresby].


The first cases are scheduled to begin on Monday next week at three separate central locations in the New Guinea Islands and Central Province beginning on the 24th of this month (Monday).


Locations listed to start this month have been published in the two newspapers this week. All interested parties will be asked to give evidence for or against the validity of each SABL to address issues found in the preliminary hearings over the past few months.


The hearings for New Ireland Province will be held in Kavieng scheduled for the 24th to the 4th of next month. 
East New Britain cases are also scheduled for the same date with all cases scheduled to be held in Kokopo, while certain LNG sites in the Central Province will be held at the CoI building in Port Moresby from the 24th to the 28th of this month.


The substantive hearings will determine whether land titles for SABLs are truly vested in customary landowners or whether there is alienation to outsiders and foreigners for periods of up to 99 years.


It will also seek to expose whether consent was given freely and willingly, if the purpose for which the SABL was sought was genuine or under the pretext of logging large portion of natural forests in areas covered by SABLs, whether purposes of the SABLs were fulfilled and whether corrupt practices were used leading to the granting of the SABLs.


Inquiries into all SABLs have been divided with Chief Commissioner John Numapo to preside over SABL hearings in Mamose, Commissioner Alois Jerewai and Nicholas Mirou to hear the New Guinea Islands. Yet to be confirmed is Commissioner Mirou’s appointment to preside over Gulf and Western Province cases while shared hearings will be given for Central, Oro, Milne Bay, NCD and Highlands.