Concern raised over ‘lost land’

PLANS on the development of land owned by Central became a heated topic during a debate in Port Moresby on Wednesday.
The discussion followed a presentation done by the provincial chairman of lands and the president of Rigo-North LLG Biarri Ubuna on the issue of land.
Ubuna stated that it had become “a very contentious issue” impacting largely on the unprecedented urban expansion of the National Capital District (NCD).
Abau MP and the Minister for Bougainville Affairs Sir Puka Temu said when the province “lost their city”, Port Moresby, the city’s territory was taken away and there was a lot of land grabbing.
“We lost our city Port Moresby in the area of politics, we gave our city and territory away and there is a lot of land grabbing going on,” he said.
Sir Puka urged the Central Governor Robert Agarobe, who chaired the debate, to present a strong statement in Parliament regarding the issue for the Minister for Lands and Physical Planning John Rosso to be made aware of.
He also said in order for the province to reclaim the land, the assembly should demand Rosso declare land outside Port Moresby as planning zones for the province.