THE PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) has obtained a stay order in a K169 million suit filed by landowners in Bukawa in Morobe so that it can ascertain the land ownership.
Lae National Court judge Justice Ambeng Kandakasi gave the two parties four months to ascertain the ownership.
Eec-Busong villagers claimed they were the rightful owners and had named the Bugang Walu clan, which also claimed to be the rightful owners, as the fourth defendants.
The PNGFA was the first defendant, Low Impact Logging Ltd was the second defendant, Everwell Ltd was third defendant and the State was fifth defendant.
Eec-Busong villagers were seeking loss of revenue from the logs harvested and damages to environment from the logging activities.
They were claiming K169,915,000 in total for damages.
They claimed the PNGFA authorised the second and third defendants to enter the Tuandi land group’s customary land and conduct logging operations without their agreement.
They claimed the PNGFA had not complied with procedures and was therefore negligent in discharging its duties.