Chairman to focus on outstanding land matters

RE-APPOINTED Lands board chairman Sam Wange is giving all outstanding land matters his priority.
Wange, pictured, wants them cleared and updated.
“The backlogs of issues and matters filling up in the Lands Department will be cleared as a matter of priority to allow genuine investments on the land to contribute efficiently towards the development
of PNG,” Wange said.
He thanked Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the National Executive Council for having trust and confidence in him.
Wange said his board would review all land titles and licences this year as land was the most important asset that Papua New Guineans had.
He said corrupt deals over the years had resulted in abuse of State and traditional lands.
“My team will visit all the provinces to inspect and review all the land titles issues, whether the titles were issued through proper procedures or not,” Wange said.
“Seventy to 80 per cent of our land is not owned by Papua New Guineans, so where are we going to go after 20 years?
“My team will go around cities and provincial centres to inspect land.”
The Lands board members are Sam Wange (chairman), Godfrey Seeto (deputy chairman) and regional representatives Arutu Bake (Southern), Gordon Manub (Mamose), Kapen Kipakali (Highlands), Skerry Palanga (New Guinea Islands) and George Gware (customary landowner).
Lands Minister Justin Tkat-chenko said the board members made up a formidable team and had a wealth of experience in land and property matters.