Land-grabbing alarm raised

By Rebecca Kuku
Land grabbing in Central is becoming a serious issue and is increasing at an alarming rate, Central land mediator Sine Boboro says.
Boboro made the statement during a mediation last Thursday at Bautama over a piece of land.
The land was leased to a local businessman by the Moiya clan, however, the properties on the land were destroyed by police after a complaint was lodged by the Wage clan.
“This is the third land mediation now between the Moiya clan and the Wage clan over this piece of land, but the Wage clan has not showed up for the third time,” he said.
“I will now do a full report and refer the matter to the Lands Court.”
Boboro said that everyone involved in the matter were Papua New Guineans and knew their history and the story of their ancestors.
“Both clans must bring their documents, their family trees, and history and prove that this is their land.”
Boboro also said that people in Central have to start working together now to protect their land instead of fighting one another as there was an increase in land grabbing in the area.
Koiari LLG president David Ogi also told the Moiya clan that it was their responsibility to protect the interests of the people they had invited to the land.
Ogi called on both tribes to come with their documents in the court hearing to settle the matter once and for all.
“All members of both tribes must also be present so that this matter can be sorted out once and for all,” he said.