Land registration opens up investment chances: Pruaitch

OPPOSITION Leader Patrick Pruaitch is calling customary landowners to register their land and get land titles in order to take part in investment opportunities.
Speaking during the launch and presentation of Incorporated Land Group (ILG) certificates and business certificates to six clans of Zifasing village at Zifasing Primary School in Huon Gulf, Morobe, on Saturday, Pruaitch urged people to take part in investment opportunities.
“When we talk about investment and inviting people with capital to come, we need to secure our land and properly title it so that it can be used as people’s contribution to any investment,” he said.
“We don’t have the cash, but we have the land, and we can use it as collateral, either to borrow or for business partners to come in, that way, we will ensure more Papua New Guineans become equity holders in ventures.”
The event was witnessed by local MP Ross Seymour and his district development authority, National Alliance Party member Arthur Somare, ILG Registrar Iruna Rogakila from the National Lands Department, Wampar Pipeline Landowners Association interim executives, Ramu Agri Industries’ Bob Wilson and staff, and the Zifasing Community.
The clans received their ILG and business certificates through the assistance of development partner Ramu Agri Industries Limited. The clans included: Chuaif, Warir Oroganchon, Mpan Owangrompon, Anga Owangrompon, Ngaromon Orogwangin and Orogazog.
“Without development partners, our ILG’s would be meaningless,” Pruaitch told the landowners.
“We register land, get titles, but if we don’t have development partners to give value to our land, then it is a waste of time. It is good to see that our landowners in Morobe are ready to participate in developments.”
Pruaitch said Morobe had the potential to contribute in the development of the country, with the Markham valley now leading in providing opportunities for Papua New Guineans to engage in oil palm, biomass, rice and other agriculture-based activities.
ILG chairman of Warir Oroganchon clan Oliver Garry thanked Ramu Agri Industries for the assistance to get the ILG and establish their business.
“With 100-plus members we cannot do it alone, we appreciate and acknowledge their support,” Garry said.
Former Morobe bureaucrat Benson Nablu highlighted the need for faster processing of land titles for customary landowners so that they could initiate commercial activities.