Landowners urged to form ILG group

The people of Yanta and Hengambu, in Mumeng, Bulolo, are being asked to apply and register under the Incorporated Land Groups (ILG) Act.
MP Sam Basil said that he was making this call to ensure Bulolo-based landowners of the Wafi-Golpu mining project participated fully in benefit-sharing programmes, starting with early works.
“The Babuaf landowners, who are from the Wampar local level government, Huon Gulf, but within the same special mining lease (SML) have already gone through the ILG registration process endorsed by the National Court, presided by Deputy Chief Justice Kandakasi,” said Basil, the Minister for Communications and Information Technology and Energy.
“This is the only sure way to ensure that landowners are recognised by law as customary groups in their respective tribes, clans or such other landowning units with traditional linkages to their customary land.”
Basil, who is also minister and trustee delegate of Kumul Mineral Holdings Ltd and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd, said many landowners in other mining and petroleum project areas were facing difficulties in benefit-sharing projects— from early works participation through to equity — because ILG registrations were not done.
“I am calling on all Yanta and Hengambu landowners to avoid this mistake and ensure they apply, be registered and preposition themselves to benefit with the assistance of their village court magistrate, church leaders and the ILG registration team,” he said.