MP questions minister over ownership of land

KAIRUKU-Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo asked Lands Minister John Rosso about the land his district office was on in parliament on Wednesday.
A fire razed the Kairuku-Hiri office at Konedobu, Port Moresby, on April 10.
Isoaimo said he was not aware that the land, Allotment 8, Section 47, belonged to Mineral Resource Authority (MRA) until after the fire.
On Sept 20, a letter was delivered to him to vacate the land and again on Wednesday, with the certificate of land title showing that it belonged to MRA.
He said the land was leased to MRA for special purpose in Nov last year, well before the destruction of his office, without his knowledge.
Isoaimo asked Rosso why there was not any consultation between the departments or Ministry of Lands and his office prior to the signing of the lease on Nov 11 knowing well that there were people on the piece of land.
“Why was the eviction notice given to us after the fire caused huge damage to my office,” he asked.
Rosso said he was not well informed about the details because it was done prior to his term as the minister.
“I will definitely get to the bottom of this,” he said.
“ I can assure you that, if you can provide me with all the necessary information.”