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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.


The response from the Lands Department was that it was currently under investigation.
The issue was first published on the 4th of March this year alleging that the whole island had been sold off to a foreign investor (named), but reports since have differed to what was earlier stated. The portions of land in question are portion 885C Tabut, 886C Umbukul and 887C Central New Hanover of New Ireland.


According to former Premier and Director for Lessee Tutuman Development Limited (TDL), the Company accused of selling the portions of Land to Singapore Based Palma Hacienda Limited, he did not sell practically the whole island as stipulated in the media reports.


“The three portions of land do not make up practically the whole island as was stated in the report,” he said. He said it would be impossible to sell the land portions because the Island had not held a title since September, 1776 and thus would be impossible to sell. He further explained that he in fact terminated the contract agreement in 2010 with Palma Hacienda because they had cleared 17,000 cubic metres of logs without a permit and did not carry out Land Survey Investigations, Genealogy studies, boundaries etc which was why their contract was terminated.


“They were initially engaged to carry out OilPalm under the SABL but t that did not occur after they were terminated,” he said.


He denied receiving payment of up to US$600,000 (K1447527.141m) which had been previously stated in a document titled Sales and Purchase Agreement between the two firms.