Committee finds SABL developers left projects

By HELEN TARAWA
Developers of seven special agriculture business leases (SABLs) have abandoned their projects, according to reports from the customary land advisory committee.
This was revealed after the committee’s investigation of SABLS in East New Britain, New Ireland and Central.
“Late last year, the committee went to East New Britain and West New Britain to do a physical inspection on the ground,” Lands and Physical Planning Minister Justin Tkatchenko said.
“There was a controversial SABL in West New Britain that had been abandoned by the company.
“The company had left operations and it (land) is in process of being given back to the customary landowners.”
Developers of three SABLs in Rigo, Central, had abandoned too.
Tkatchenko said the department would work to get the three portions back to customary landowners.
“We are sending our staff to affected areas that have SABLs that were causing problems,” he said.
“We have got some outstanding issues. One SABL is in court and some are going through the cancellation process.
“We are doing our utmost best to get back the land that was stolen or taken away from our customary landowners, back to them through the proper legal process.”
Committee chairman Andy Malo said three SABLs in New Ireland were abandoned.
Another site was in Palmalmal, Pomio, East New Britain, where there were issues with the SABL and landowners wanted the land returned to them.
“The exercise is challenging and there were constraint with funds to travel to the provinces to continue investigations,” Malo said.