Minister happy with suggestions given

The two-day Southern regional land summit workshop received good suggestions for reforming customary land for benefit of people, says Minister for Lands and Physical Planning Justin Tkatchenko.
He told media on Friday that he and panelists listened and learned from customary landowners.
“We had former politicians, chairmen of incorporated land groups (ILGs) and many others who came to express their concerns,” he said.
“They, as well, put suggestions to change the law to make it better, much easier for customary land now and into the future.
“I want to make this very clear that the Government is not interested in taking away customary land from people.
“We are here to empower customary landowners, change the laws to make it easier for them to use land without red tape and without many issues.
“It’s been a fantastic success.
“We look forward over the next coming months to go to the other regions to have the same workshops, to have the same input from different customary landowners throughout the country.
“From the Southern region, we move to Momase to Madang then to New Guinea Islands to Kokopo, to Mt Hagen for the Highlands region.
“Finally, back in Port Moresby in May, to put the final resolutions together for customary land in our country.”
Land consultant Dr Charles Yala said the panelists were happy with contributions from customary landowners.
“It was a good turn out from the Southern region and we’ve got a lot of the information,” he said.