Board resumes duty

 By PISAI GUMAR

THE Morobe provincial lands and physical planning board has been reinstated by Lands and Physical Planning Minister, Benny Allan.

A new board has been announced.

This effectively ends a two-year suspension prompted by a series of controversies, subjects of pending court cases. 

Deputy provincial administrator Patilias Gamato is the new chairman and he will lead a 13-member board with provincial programme advisor Jonah Suvi as the technical adviser.

Members from government, businesses, churches, settlements and Ahi landowners include Allan McLay, Nigel Merrick, John Nicholas, Roy Kamen, Fingkewec Zurenuoc, Effo Mare, Noah Geali and Kisu Lucas.

Members absent were Jennifer Baing, Leo Lamei and Kingsford Kasen.

Gamato highlighted a case of a dubious land deal in Lae in which an application for a “reserve park” was rejected six times by the board, only to be approved somewhere down the line later. 

He said the board would emphasise “land management and usage” following correct and proper procedures, approaches and process.

“Our obligation, roles and responsibilities will not only be limited in Lae city land but will cater for land in Wau-Bulolo townships, Finschhafen and Umi in Markham,” Gamato said.

“These were the current growing townships which the provincial physical planning and the government were also investing in.”

Governor Kelly Naru said the board had the power to investigate dubious deals.

“Some buildings popping up unnecessarily on reserved and public recreational parks need to be properly investigated,” he said.

“You can have the land title but the title must conform with the purpose of the designated land.”