Landowner warns of faction’s claim

By ZACHERY PER
A PRINCIPAL landowner of the Ramu Two hydro electricity scheme, Willy Numo is warning government departments and MPs to be alert for a faction claiming to represent the interest of genuine landowners.
Numo issued the warning recently following a group led by Jerry Yokio, of Anontu village, claiming to be from the Baene clan, went around seeking financial help to register Incorporated Land Groups (ILGs) and a landowners association.
Numo said he was the legitimate landowner of Kafore in Obura-Wonenara district where the proposed multi-billion kina Ramu Two hydro-scheme is to be built by PNG Power to gene­rate 180-240MW of electricity.
Numo said the faction led by Yokio went to the Kainantu Lands Court to obtain another agreement but were refused and they re-registered at the Goroka Lands Court seeking the same order and were granted.
“I am now disputing this agreement and my appeal is before the National Court for a judicial review at a date yet to be set,” he said.
He appealed to organisations, government bodies and people not to entertain the group seeking financial help.
“The faction allegedly used the Baene and Uman-antu clans, who were in the 1989 agreement to claim ownership of the Kafore land.
“I’m the legitimate landow­ner and have all the right to speak for the silent majority,” Numo said.
A letter released by the Kai­nantu district court dated Aug 28, 2012, restrained any person or companies, including PNG Power, from entering any contractual dealings with people claiming to be traditional landowners of the Kafore land.