Company rubbishes claim of land for satellite town

THE management of Gerame Coffee Ltd has denied reports that land is availabile for the development of a satellite town outside Goroka.
Gerame Coffee managing director Apere Goso said the 89.2 hectares of land currently known as 6-Mile Coffee Plantation was not freely available as reported in The National on Feb 8.
He said his company, Gerame Coffee Ltd, formerly Alenumpa Coffee Ltd, is still the original title holder of Portion 1110 which was the plantation, and was still paying land rates and was the recognised owner of the land.
“The idea of the satellite town was initially introduced to Gerame Coffee in 2012 by the then Lands Minister and member for Unggai-Bena Benny Allan and former Goroka MP Bire Kimisopa,” Goso said.
“Due to certain misunderstanding, the negotiation for the satellite town did not progress even though funding was provided by the State for mobilisation.” Goso said a dispute between Gerame Coffee and Otemiti Coffee has been going on for more than 10 years.
Goso said Otemiti Coffee Ltd claimed to be the owner of the land, while Gerame Coffee was still in possession of the title.
“Currently, there are two land titles to the land, one held by Gerame Coffee and the other by Otemiti Coffee,” he said.
“An investigation to this issue is still underway to justify the genuine/legitimate owner.”
Goto described the action by Otemiti Coffee management to go to the media as a direct attempt to claim ownership of the land and also to attract investors.
“Eviction notice has been prepared and is on hand waiting to be served to the illegal occupants, who are currently dwelling on the land,” he said.
Directors of Otemiti Coffee Ltd said they unanimously agreed to allow Government to build the proposed satellite town on the land currently occupied by their coffee plantation.