Land title now gives villagers right to deal with illegal tenants

The Tubumaga Laurina Land Group of Pari village in NCD can now use their Incorporated Land Group (ILG) certificate to claim ownership of their land and charge rentals to those using or settling on it.
Lands and Physical Planning Minister Justin Tkatchenko told the landowners at the presentation of their ILG certificate that they could even evict the illegal landowners now that they have the certificate.
“I want to congratulate you for going through the proper process of ensuring that finally, after five years, you get your certificate of recognition of incorporating your ILG,” he told the group.
“The situation is that your land in Pari has been carved up, stolen and sold to unscrupulous number of unnecessary people and making the whole of Pari an absolute mess.
“By registering this now, your ILG land group will now be able to control all activities on your land.
“If there is anybody illegally on your land under this land group, you can finally get rid of them and move them on or you might want to keep some of them and make them pay rent or whatever the situation maybe.”
Acting Secretary for Lands Oswald Tolopa said it’s the beginning of a journey for the clan.
“You are now recognised as a legal entity, by law you are no longer just a clan that is recognised by tradition.
“This is the law backing you up as the legal entity that now recognises you so you can sue anybody who is illegally trespassing on your land,” Tolopa said.
“All the customary land that you have under this clan, you have to take charge of it now that you are recognised by the presentation of this certificate.”
Chairman of the Tubumaga Laurina ILG, Guba Keutu, thanked the Lands Department and Tkatchenko for the certificate: “We have waited for five years while people have been grabbing our land and we thank God for making it possible.”