Council appoints lands committee

THE Morobe provincial executive council (PEC) has appointed a land committee to look into land matters within Lae.
The committee, to be known as the “land investigation committee”, consists of seven members representing all sectors of the community, the provincial and national governments.
The committee was sworn in at the Morobe Tutumang (provincial assembly) yesterday witnessed by the deputy governor Morokoi Gaiwata  and provincial administration officials.
Provincial law and justice chairman Benson Suwang, who is representing  the provincial government in the committee, had been mandated also as the committee’s chairman.
The other members are Lae city lord mayor James Khay, who represents the business sector, Kwalam Tangabi representing the Ahi landowners, provincial lands adviser Jonah Suvi, representing both the provincial and national lands offices, Collin Loko for physical planning, Samuel Atewao representing 3-Mile,4-Mile,5-Mile and 6-Mile settlements while Peter Wagu representing the settlements in East and West Taraka, University of Technology block areas to Bumayong and Tentsiti.
The main task of the committee would be to investigate land deals to make sure all activities were set up at the specific land venues.
Provincial assembly clerk Galang Awagasi, said after the swearing-in that activities such as business ventures had to be set up on land meant for businesses, sports and recreation on public utility venues and so on.
“At the moment, all kinds of things are popping up all over the place without proper planning and monitoring,” he said.
The committee would be reporting to the PEC its findings and if there were any irregularities identified, those concerned would be dealt with by the appropriate authorities.
Awagasi said it was the first time for the Morobe government to establish such a committee, and at the right time, because business and other activities were expanding in Lae and proper land planning and acquisition were vital for the city and province’s development.