MP suggests land law review

 CIVIL Aviation Minister, Davis Steven says there is a need to revise and review land legislations adopted from precolonial days.

Steven, the Esa’ala MP, said the current land legislations, especially on freehold leases, were adopted by the House of Assembly before and immediately after independence.

“These laws are a travesty of justice, an error of law, a paradox that ought to be corrected,” he said.

He said such laws adopted from colonial rulers had brought about problems of ownership such as on Woodlark and Conflicts islands in Milne Bay.

He said Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill had taken the initiative to tackle the issue, resulting in the reverting of ownership of Woodlark Island to the traditional owners.

“The problem must not be deferred further, it must be resolved during our time and not passed to future generations,” he said.

“It takes will power and the necessary bureaucratic process to do it.”

Steven said State agencies such as the lands department and Department of Justice and Attorney-General should guide cabinet on this.

He said he would support any decision by cabinet to amend land legislations.