Prepare landowners before investors come in

 I WOULD  like  to  thank  John  Simon for the much-needed services brought into the district. 

For almost 40 years, the people of Maprik have suffered and have been denied  basic  services that they should be enjoying. 

The people of Maprik are simple and easy-going, and are willing to work  together  with the government to see change in the district. 

I call on the MP to do first things first, before opening doors to investors, to organise non-governmental organisations, student bodies or the responsible government department to educate the people to be  aware  of  the  impact and  benefits as well as environmental effects that come from projects that will happen on their land. 

It  will  help  the people  to be  in a better  position to understand any contracts  that  are offered to them to be signed.

Most of the land are customary land   and  are  owned  by  clans  and  families. 

This will create a conflict of interest between the people and developers. 

So, can the MP help the people by engaging the Lands Department to educate  them on how to incorporate the land and form incorporated land groups (ILGs), which  the  department is currently undertaking?

It helps identify genuine landowners who will be able to form ILGs to protect their land and benefit from it. 

We have heard of conflicts between landowners and developers in provinces where huge developments are taking place. 

We have also heard of genuine landowners missing out on the benefits they deserve, clans and families fighting among themselves because there are no proper agreements in place and also environmental damage caused by huge projects that affect the livelihoods of  people. 

I  call on the MP not to let the people of Maprik face these problems. 

Help your people to prepare themselves before any major developments happen on their land. 

Hosea Lipen

Port Moresby