Clans put up land for project

 By CLEMENT KAUPA

THREE Ahi clans in Morobe were highly praised for putting up their land to accommodate Lae city’s rapidly expanding industrial zone.  

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill was among a number of politicians and investors who commended the Busurum clan of Butibum, Uacpu of Kamkumung and Pualu of Yanga for the new K73 million tuna processing facility at Malahang in Lae.

The commendations were also offered in light of another multi-million kina fish canner that will be constructed on an adjacent block of land owned by the same clans.

Morobe Governor Kelly Naru said the projects happened under a 99-year land lease between the clans through their landowner association, BUP, and investors from Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan.

“It is truly unique and the first time for landowners in this province to enter into such an arrangement and I highly commend the local landowners,” Naru said.

He reiterated O’Neill’s description of the new Majestic Seafood facility as a milestone achievement for Lae, Morobe and PNG.

The land for the two canneries is part of 613ha of customary land, most of which is undeveloped land, according to BUP chairman Nanong Ahi.

He revealed that 75% of the land was being squatted on. 

Ahi said they were against the practice of selling traditional land, saying it was owned by the clans and not by individuals.

That area is hemmed in by the Butibum road running southwest intersected by Busu road running northeast and Independence Drive running north-west.

It accommodates the Malahang industrial zone which is becoming the new industrial hub of Lae city.  

National Fisheries Minister Mao Zeming also thanked BUP landowners and the people and government of Morobe for making the project possible.

“I also wish to encourage all of us to be mindful of the equitable participation of Papua New Guineans in the sector as well as equally spreading the investments in the maritime provinces,” he said.