Landowner hails provincial govt plan

 A principal landowner in Huon district has applauded Morobe provincial government for its plans to promote incorporate land group as a way forward for development in the province. 

Bob Sagaling said he was looking forward to working with the Government on the initiative to offer land space for commercial purposes.

He believed that the plan was beneficial for landowners in the long term. 

He urged the Government not to play politics with incorporated land groups. 

“Government must not play politics with the incorporate land group initiative as announced recently to deal with land owners. 

“I agreed with the plan Governor Kelly Naru, pictured, has and ask that funds must be made available this year for processing and implementing this plan,” Sagaling said. 

He said the plan was a way forward for incorporate land groups in the province. 

“Indeed it’s a way forward for development as the land will be made available for commercial and residential uses in order to have control over the number of settlers on customary land and that will minimise social issues that badly affect our communities.” 

He said residential areas can be created for those who meet the requirements of residing in the customary land while land for commercial activities could be made available with specific terms and conditions. 

Sagaling was referring to recent announcement made by Governor Naru upon his visit to settlers at Boundary after an ethnic clash. 

The incorporate land group initiative was expected to roll out early this year following the demand for business activities in the province and to control people migrating into the city.  

In 2007, the Government introduced sweeping legislative reforms intended to remedy the defects in the manner in which ILGs were registered and managed. At the same time, it allows them to voluntarily register their land.