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; 


• Alleged fraudulently obtained customary Landowner consents;

• Alleged forged or unauthorized Land Investigation Reports (LIRs) (Imperative to establish the status of landowner consent);

• Alleged unauthorised LIRs;
• 
Foreigner and outsider entities holding titles to many SABLs;
• 
Abuses of various kinds in the operation of SABLs and;
• 
Conducting of full scale logging under the guise of SABL.


But with the scheduled circuits (trips) yet to be determined to SABL sites set to begin for substantive hearings to take place, the inquiry has hit an obstacle since its allocated time to sit for the 75 cases will expire on October 21.


So far, the inquiry has fulfilled the requirements of the Terms of Reference (TOR) (a) and (b) Inquiring into the;
 (a) Legal authority for the issuance of SABLs; and 
(b) Determine the procedure for the issuance of SABLs in accordance with the legal authority if any.


These requirements were met by the appearance of senior officers from the four Government departments involved in the SABL; Department of Lands and Physical Planning (DLPP), Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) which revealed flaws in the processes and procedures.

Very reliable sources have, however, revealed that a brief had been sent to the Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc on October 3, 2011, advising the Government and drawing the attention of the Prime Minister to the unrealistic three-month-period. 
The brief highlighted the need to extend that time frame to the end of March, 2012 if the CoI is to complete its tasks in accordance to its Terms of Reference.

The preliminary and substantive hearings will fulfill requirements of TOR (c) one of which is to expose whether land titles for SABLs are truly vested in customary landowners or whether there is alienation to foreigners for periods of up to 99 years of lease.