“The days of illegal logging and land grabbing are over in Oro Province!”

From PNG Village

This was the warning given by Oro Governor Garry Juffa, to companies and individuals intending to develop natural resources of Oro or engage in agricultural projects.

They have been urged to seek the provincial government’s executive council’s permission first before sneaking in through the back door.

Mr Juffa stressed that there is a moratorium in place on all land in Oro; hence, the Provincial Government will not hesitate to enforce this and take companies and their agents to court.

He said that many landowners become the victims of a minority of individuals who become the middle men in selling land to companies acting under false pretence.

“I just learnt yesterday that that a Malaysian Company, IRIS CORPORATION LIMITED has been claiming on the internet and Malaysian newspapers and the media that it had secured a 100,000hectares of land in Oro Province for Agriculture purposes,” said Mr Juffa.

“I want to know who they went through to get the right to buying the land. If the provincial government was not approached by this company, this is an illegal sale and those parties will be held accountable in court,” Mr Juffa said.

Mr Juffa said that his provincial government will be writing a letter to the Malaysian Embassy and also to the responsible government agencies regarding this matter and for responsible government offices such as Lands Department and Agriculture & Livestock need to consult with the provincial government before engaging companies to come in use resources of the province.

“I would like to appeal to the National Government to stop issuing permits and selling our resources without consulting the provincial government because such actions are contrary to the purpose of any government which is to protect and promote PNG’s interest first and foremost,” Mr Juffa said.