Islands are ours, clan claims

 THE owner of Milne Bay’s uninhabited Conflict Islands, in Misima, wants to develop tourism and conservation there.

The chain of 21 islands has been put on the market by rich owner Ian Gowrie-Smith, who bought the islands in 2006 and now has freehold title to them.

But clans of the nearby Panaeati Island have claimed ownership and have been asking their MPs to intervene. Daniel Duncan of the Sisilili clan said in the 18th century the islands were leased for agricultural purposes that never eventuated and were now on commercial lease.

Gowrie-Smith’s development goals have earned him support from the Milne Bay government and Governor Titus Philemon.

“I have begun the consultation this week with stakeholders and interested parties in Port Moresby and soon Alotau and the government is in support of what I am trying to achieve,” Gowrie-Smith said.

He said owning and developing land in Papua New Guinea was not just a piece of paper but a social contract with locals.

“Coral atolls are not much use to the locals as they cannot be used to grow food and fishing is easy from their own islands so the best way to make the islands beneficial to the people is through investment and employment,” he said.

There will be development that will ensure a minimal ecological footprint using environmentally friendly technology such as solar power, treated recyclable water and bio-mass generators.

Among his many ventures, Gowrie-Smith has invested in wildlife conservation in South Africa, converting barren land into a thriving game reserve and received an award for sustainable architecture.

Panaeati Islanders however still challenge the ownership claims, saying there had been no consultative process with them and their MPs who promised to fight for the islands and who had failed them.

“We were told if we voted them in they would give the ownership back to the people but they have not kept their word.”