Do not blame Govt: Rosso

DEPUTY Prime Minister John Rosso has warned landowners who sell their land cheaply not to blame the Government but themselves for the problems that arise later.
“When you sell that ground, it is your decision as the owner of that land to sell it,” said Rosso, who is also the minister for Lands and Physical Planning.
“So do not hold the Government responsible for any problems that come up because of it.
“You must realise that once you sell your land, you know what you are doing.
“Don’t sell your land for less than what it is worth because when you do, that’s when all the problems come up.”
Rosso advised them to instead work with the Lands Department to harness their customary land.
He gave as an example the Tuhava Estate and how the landowners were now the owners of land worth K1.6 billion.
Rosso said the idea of having Incorporated Land Groups (ILGs) was to address customary land issues, but had been misused.
“Most of the ILGs in rural areas, run by educated people, have taken custody of clan land and sold it as if they privately own it,” he said.
Rosso gave as an example the people at Roku.
“Despite the pressures from people telling them to sell their land, these old men and women sat together and decided that they would not sell. The Roku landowners were able to use the 585 hectares of land and convert it with help of the department, into a bankable asset with an estimated bankable value of K1.6 billion,” he said.
“I encourage our people especially in the outskirts of Port Moresby, Lae, Madang and Wewak to come forward. We will be setting up an office in the department to assist you to harness the wealth you have on your own land.”