Sir Mekere backs proposed method of selling Government land

Opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta has supported recommendations to adopt public auction as way of selling Government land.
The Moresby North West MP in a statement yesterday said he supported the recommendation of the National Land Development Taskforce to adopt public auction.
He said the Government must seriously consider the merits of this recommendation soon.
Sir Mekere said the proposed method would hopefully halt the widespread corrupt practice that had beset the current system of allocation and sale.
“The current method favours those who have contacts, influence and financial resources to entice officials and ministers responsible for land matters. Examples of land allocated this way abound throughout the country,” he said.
“As someone who abhors corruption and corrupt dealings, I welcome this recommendation as a way of cleaning and sanitising the present corrupt and unfair system.”
Sir Mekere said land, like other important stock of infrastructure such as electricity, land, air and sea transport and telecommunications constitute an important foundation for nation’s social and economic growth and advancement.
“It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that these assets are available for use by those people who have the necessary resources to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.”
Sir Mekere said the system of open auction was likely to favour those who had the resources and were already well off.
He said the Government should develop some guidelines and conditions to safe-guard against ownership of Government land falling into the hands of a selected few.