Martyn Namorong

The Landowner Company, Mapsera Development Authority, that owns the lease to Portion 54C, Mapsera, was deregistered at the time the lease was granted. Counsel assisting the Commission, Mr. Ketan revealed to the Commission of Inquiry yesterday. The lease was granted on the 26^th of April 2010. He added that as the lease was granted to a non-existent entity, it was therefore flawed.

The Chairman of the deregistered company, Mr. Augustine Kaigen, then gave evidence in Tok Pisin. Mr. Kaigen informed the Commission that the area had been logged had about 1 300 logs have been exported via Hawain log pond on the west coast of East Sepik Province.

When asked whether a land investigation report has been done, Mr. Kaigen stated that over a 3 week period all 47 villages in the SABL area were visited and consent been taken for the use of their land under a Special Purpose Agriculture Lease. He also revealed that the expenses for the process were paid by the foreign exploiter known by its initials, SPZ.

After a Forest Clearance Authority was given to log the area, SPZ, logged the area and has since been gone without leaving behind any infrastructure for the benefit of the people.

Meanwhile a landowner from an area that is under disputed between Mapsera and Nungwaia-Bongos SABLs, has informed the Commission of Inquiry that he’s people would prefer to be part of the Nungwaia-Bongos SABL. Mr. Sam Akike, the chairman of landowner company Nuweidu Holdings, informed the Commission that he’s people were initially party to the Nungwaia –Bongos Forest Management Area and since its conversion to an SABL, they preferred to remain part of the Nungwaia-Bongos SABL.