Allan aware of land claims

Lands and Physical Planning Minister Benny Allan is fully aware of land claims worth more than K2.5 million by customary landowners of the Goroka town water treatment plant in Eastern Highlands.
But he told The National yesterday that the department did not have the funds to settle the amount.
The landowners had given the Government 21 days to pay up the unpaid land claims otherwise water supply into Goroka town would be turned off.
According to the notice paper, the Goroka town water supply will be turned off if the Government fails to meet their demand next week.
“The notice of our intention to turn off the main water taps is related to nil land payments of Watarais portion of land (390C and 404C) valued at K2,733.012.15,” the notice addressed to Lands and Physical Planning Minister Benny Allan stated.
Allan confirmed meeting the landowners recently and assured that payments would be made once funding became available.