Lupari denies threat

National

CHIEF Secretary Isaac Lupari has denied that he threatened to sack Lands Secretary Luther Sipison in relation to a piece of land allegedly given to a Chinese businessman at Duran Farm Housing Estate outside Port Moresby.
He said this in relation to yesterday’s front-page story in The National in which he was said to have ordered the return of a piece of land allocated for a housing scheme for public servants given to a foreign company by the Lands Department.
Lupari also denied saying that the Government would establish a property land trust with him as its chairman.
“I did not say I will sack lands secretary,” Lupari said.
“I have no power.
“All I said was that we should be made accountable for our performance and decisions we make.”
Lupari said he had said that Government had directed the cancellation of the title of land given to the foreigner.
“Durand land is for housing and Government has invested a lot of money,” he said.
“The 44,000 blocks when developed will address the housing issue in Port Moresby.
“I also talked about the Government housing loan scheme.”
Lupari said the Government had also directed the creation of a land trust to manage all urban development leases (UDLs).
“I did not say I was going to be the chairman,” he said.
“All I said was I will work with Secretary of the Lands Department to have this established in my capacity as chairman of Central Agencies Coordinating Committee.”