Court quashes minister’s decision

THE Waigani National Court has quashed a decision by Lands and Physical Planning Minister John Rosso, published in the National Gazette, to return land declared as customary land to its former status as state land.
Justice Nicholas Miviri made the orders in favour of the plaintiff Tony Gabutu, stating that he had acted within the law and had effected a number of developments to the land.
The land described as Portion 1538, Milinch of Granville, 4-Mile, Port Moresby, National Capital District, was declared as customary land by former Lands Minister Benny Allen on Sept 1, 2017.
However, it was returned to the state with the description Portion 1539 on July 4, 2018, after a public declaration by Rosso.
Gabutu challenged the decision in court. Miviri ordered costs to be paid to Gabutu.