Land summit participants discusses law, policy, administration issues

A LACK of clarity in law, policy and administration on sea and water is one of the issues being discussed at the national land summit in Port Moresby.
David Kui, from the Department of Treasury’s market and policy division, presented issues and challenges in relation to development along waterfronts, port areas and waterways.
He highlighted the proposed solutions from the regional land summit.
“There is conflicting understanding and the application of law and processes dealing with various rights (ownership, use and access rights) over underwater leases and resources and waterways in PNG,” Kui said.
“The three main issues or options proposed mainly by the three regions, except the Highlands, are customary ownership of land below the high water mark and waterways recognised, give customary landowners’ rights to several kilometres into the sea and reserve underwater leases reserved for customary landowners.
“The proposed resolution for verification and validation now is to establish a process for policy dialogue and debate on the legal and customary interpretations and their applications, with view to develop clear policy, legal and administrative framework.”
Dorothy Natera, a representative of the Towalingan-Toboberatagul Incoporated Land Group (ILG) in Rabaul, who attend the summit, said their rights were not considered by ships dumping their waste, leaking oil and destroying their fishing grounds.