Labu leaders not consulted

LABU leaders were not consulted in any land issue discussion with the villagers of Busamang in Salamaua local level government of Huon Gulf, Morobe.
We refer to a story on The National on Dec 10 (Landowners resolve land boundary issues) that they were part of the discussion on the land boundary at the mouth of Buang River (Maus Buang).
The land issue raised came about in 1979.
From that time up until now, there was never any mediation.
In 2017, the issue was raised and at that time, the Labu land board was already established and the matter was brought up with them.
The matter was thrown back to Busama but they never took it up again.
We went ahead and did the registration for the incorporated land group. This article has caused confusion.
The land matter was never brought up to us. Why was the matter only discussed with Salamaua and Busama people?
We have never had issues regarding the land mentioned since then.
Withith the proposed special economic zone and industrial project coming up, we are looking at ways to embrace the surrounding communities that the project will impact.
Danny Wartu’s statement undermines what we are planning to do for the neighbouring communities.
The article lacks concrete evidence that leads to the land matters.
Legitimate landowners were not part of the discussions between the Busama in Salamaua local level government, Wampar local level government and the district.
Wartu had acted prematurely in arbitrating the land matters where he is not given the power of attorney by the tribes of Labu and needs to prove his power of attorney in black and white if he has that.
We do not recognise his position as Labu land board chairman because of his mishandling of Labu-Busama land issue.
He went against the office he holds.
One of our leaders was not present but his name was mentioned in the article.
What the chairman did was for his own interest.
He did not consult the Labu tribes.

Bruce Noddy, Aron Aima, Kipu
Anonga, Daniel Esatu, Jeffrey
Tipi and Chris Kamandy,
Labu-Tale ILG