Source: The National

A REPRESENTATIVE of the Mengen Sulka people in the East Pomio district has applauded Northern Governor Gary Juffa’s stand to support landowners that resulted in the cancellation of two Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABLs) in the Waigani National Court.

Bernard Tovatnge, the chairman for Mesu Investment, said the governor showed leadership by supporting his people in the fight against SABLs which had become a controversial issue.

He said the benchmark set by the Oro provincial government should pave the way for other MPs to follow suite.

Tovatnge said the SABL issue was now being experienced at Lote Kamlang between the people of Tomoip and Mengen Sulka. It is before the national court for a judicial review.

Tovatnge alleged the developer Tzen Niugini and Toimop ILG did not respect the national court judicial review by all parties and were still pushing development into the customary land of the Mengen Sulka people.

He claimed the developer was supporting police to arrest the Mengen Sulka people before they protested the oil palm development.

He said this week, one arrest was made by police and last year two arrests were made, with members of the Mengen Sulka being taken to Kokopo and locked up in  police cells.

Tovatnge is calling on the East New Britain provincial administration through its Lands Division to resolve the issue.

He challenged government agencies, non-governmental organisations and politicians to use the court like Juffa did to get rid of SABLs.