Land deserves govt’s full attention: Official

LAND is a fundamental asset for the majority of Papua New Guineans and deserves the full attention of the Government, says an official.
Department of Lands and Physical Planning secretary Benjamin Samson said this at a high level government officials meeting.
He said it was vital that land was utilised for the direct benefit of the people and improving their livelihoods.
“As policy makers and implementers, we need to ensure that reforms related to land are approached with care, solid research and evidence, and public servants performing at their full potential,” Samson said.
The national land reform agenda was one of the topics at the meeting.
The sessions on project and change management were held over two days (June 18-19) and supported the implementation of the National Land Development Programme (NLDP) phase two.
The programme’s phase two grew out of last year’s nationwide consultations that culminated in the national land summit.
The phase II technical working committee chairman Lazarus Malesa said an effective land administration system – with clarity and certainty of land titles – would address constrains to private sector investment and provide a basis for sustained economic growth.
“Improved bankability would see landowners better able to borrow money to finance projects, businesses and investments,” he said.