Different names, one landowner group: Official

Business

THE names Babuaf and Babwaf refer to the same group of people that Mineral Resources Authority is dealing with in regards to the Wafi-Golpu project in Morobe, says managing director Jerry Garry.
He said the group was legitimately represented by Thomas Nen, as the landowners’ association president, and Judah Utin as the chief.
Garry was responding to claims by the Babwaf clan that it was the legitimate owner of the Wafi-Golpu project land and not Babuaf, which it said was made up of settlers.
“The land subject of dispute is the ownership of Maganse between the Hengambu and Babwaf tribe, which was determined by the local land court in 1981, giving full ownership to Babwaf,” Gary said.
“According to minutes of the proceedings of 1981, Mare village, which is outside of the special mining lease (SML) and not part of the Babwaf tribe, came in as a witness to support Babwaf tribe which was represented by Gau Wova.
“It is always in local land disputes where you will expect a neighbouring tribe to witness and support a claim.
Garry said that in the case of the Babwaf name, a recent court decision made a decision in favour of Nen and Utin.