‘Register customary land’

Customary land is the number one development issue that Papua New Guineans must deal with to get right, Rigo MP Lekwa Gure says.
Gure, who was among the few Southern region MPs who attended the land summit workshop last week, said 97 per cent of the land was still customary owned while three per cent was State land.
“It’s a big beast that we need to manage and get right,” he said.
“Registration of land is to make sure that that future disputes are prevented.
“If we do not unleash the power of land for development, then that piece of land becomes useless.
“We need to put land to economic use or other development purposes to recognise the value of that land.”
Gure said it is now time for the Government to change the laws or practices to make it work for development needs.
Participants came from all Southern region provinces as well as others to give their views on addressing customary land issues.
Sissie Gias, from Morobe, said customary land belonged to the people of PNG and how to resolve disputes was up to them.
“Land belongs to the people and only they will be able to determine how they can address this issues,” he said.
Casmiro Aia from Goilala in Central said he was happy to attend the workshop.
“It’s about time the National Government and Lands Department came out and addressed the real issues of land,” he said.
Bele Heni, from Hanuabada, said her people would not be moved from their current village over the sea.
“Our village is our birthplace and we will remain,” she said.
“All we need is for the Government to develop that village into an urban village.”
Murray Maroroa, from Northern, said: “We have hope to maintain our land and resources through conservation for now and into the future.”