Law change concerns Motu-Koita Assembly

National
Dadi Toka Jr

THE Motu-Koita Assembly is concerned about the impact of the recently approved National Capital District Commission (Amendment) Law 2021, questioning its “intentions”.
Assembly chairman Dadi Toka Jr pointed out in a letter to Prime Minister James Marape the potential impact of the amended legislation on the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) and the Motu-Koita people who are entitled to 12 per cent of the goods and services tax (GST).
The amended legislation allows the Central government to receive 10 per cent of the GST collected, Gulf gets five per cent and the assembly two per cent.
Toka told Marape that there were “grave concerns and deep dissatisfaction at the law and its intentions”.
He said it clearly demarcated the land boundaries of the Motu-Koita people and “displaces and disregards the people (of) their moral, legal rights and entitlements preserved under the current scheme of laws and policies which have not been honoured by successive National Capital District Commission administrations and Governments”.
He said Section 33 (2) of the NCDC Act stipulated that the assembly was to receive two per cent of the NCDC’s GST inland revenue.
And under Section 33A, the assembly was entitled to a further 10 per cent of NCDC’s GST inland revenue.
“The (assembly) has not sought the arrears of the two per cent and 10 per cent respectively,” he said.
“We also have not been given our grants based on harbours fees, airport fees and state lease rentals, as set out in Section 38 (b) of the Motu Koita Assembly Act.
“It is our view that any amendments to the NCDC Act should be an inclusive and collaborative process that should involve the MKA as the government of NCD’s indigenous landowners.
“This has not happened.
“This law will create additional outflows from the NCD GST revenue for another province, while neglecting to address outflows legally established to the people of Motu Koita.”