Acting Prime Minister, the Hon. Sam Abal MP, has announced the government’s intention to set up a Commission of Inquiry into the issue of Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases.

The Commission will investigate the grant of Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases covering some 5.2 million hectares of customary land to ensure all legal requirements have been followed and that the leases are being used for the purposes intended in the legislation.

Mr Abal says the government is very concerned about the issue and wants to ensure that the rights and interests of customary landholders are being protected.

Mr Abal has also announced there will be an immediate moratorium on the issuing of any further Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases until the Commission of Inquiry has been completed and Parliament has debated its recommendations.

Further all Forest Clearance Authorities granted under the existing leases are to be suspended until the Commission of Inquiry process has been completed. This is to ensure that forest areas are not cleared where there may be no guarantee that genuine agricultural projects will follow.