By Luana Paniu

Two of New Ireland’s most scenic islands are practically off limits to their own people under the Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SPABL).


They are Emirau in the Mussau Group of Islands and New Hanover, situated North West of mainland New Ireland. These were revelations made at the Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday last week by the former Secretary for the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLLGA) who was the then Custodian of Trust Land.


It was also found that in both cases, the majorities of landowners were not given explanation about the lease-lease back and were not sought consent.


Current Chief Secretary, Manasupe Zurenuoc said this had been brought to his attention while serving in these two positions from March 2008 up until last month.

Under Section 134 of the Land Act, the Custodian for Trust Land is required to provide certificate of alienability before a particular customary land is alienated and acquisition is executed by the Department of Lands and Physical Planning.


He said the Emirau Land Association later raised concerns that Emirau Trust Limited was owned by one individual and that not all landowners were consulted in the process that led to the issuance of the lease. He said his department went through records and found that no certificate of alienability was issued which prompted him to write to the Department of Lands and Physical Planning highlighting the complaints and requested them to consult and involve his department.