Motu Koitabuans get financial powers

PORT Moresby South MP Dame Carol Kidu brought about two rounds of applause in the Parliament chamber yesterday when the Motu Koitabu Assembly Bill and the NCDC Amendment Bill were passed.
Observers in the public gallery joined her male colleagues in applauding her success.
The law will enable Motu Koitabuans, the landowners of Port Moresby, to have more financial control of trading licence fees of businesses operating on their traditional land and increase the Motu Koitabu Assembly from 10 to 14 representatives. There will be two women representatives and one each for the youth and church.
Dame Carol said 10% of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) would be for Central province, 3% for the Gulf province and 2% for the Motu Koitabu people.
She said the new bill would allow the Motu Koitabuans to collect their own fees and finances.
“I do not have to elaborate that the Motu Koitabuans have been marginalised in the past and have the right to self-determination. Under this new law, they will have more political and financial control of their traditional land,” Dame Carol said.
The amended bill was passed by an absolute majority vote of 72 MPs for the bill and none against.
Dame Carol, also during the same session, saw that the Lukautim Pikinini Child Bill of 2007 received full support of the MPs and was passed.
The purpose of the law is to protect and promote the rights and well being of all children.
Dame Carol said under the new law, the State would provide care and protect children below the age of 18 from being abused, abandoned or neglected, sexually abused or exploited, etc.
The bill was passed by an absolute majority of 68 votes.

Type In Your Name:

Type In Your E-mail:

Your Friend's E-mail:

Your Comments:

Receive copy: