Tolai tribe first to register

 THE first incorporated land group (ILG) for the Tolai tribe in East New Britain was awarded its registration certificate under the Reformed Land Act 2009.

The other three registered groups in the province were said to be from Bainings. Tokara ILG is the 20th in the country to be registered. 

Deputy chairman of Tokara Gabriel Pamel said during the launching of the ILG at the Latlat ward in Gazelle district that it was a significant time for the group, which was the legal entity to drive impact development projects on their land.

He said despite a lot of opposition to plans to register the land for the ILG, it got its registration. 

The research that began in 2010 had helped to identify the people and their origins through their family tree. 

He said Tokara ILG represented the Tokara clan. It was where most customary land was located and included Tavana-Valaur, Latlat, Raluan 2, Rakunai 1, 3 and 4, Vunalaka, Ratavul, Rakotop, Kavavar, Kikitabu and Matupit Island wards.

Pamel said the registration was a step forward to enabling economic activities and opportunities on the land.

He explained to the gathering that the reformed Land Act 2009 covered three areas of customary land ownership – unlimited ownership, limited ownership and settlement rights. 

The unlimited ownership from ENB’s perspective refers to women, who were the landowners, according to the matrilineal society in this part of the country. 

Pamel said the reformed Land Act 2009 was doing justice to the unfair land rights of people as seen previously prior to the reform. 

He said under the reformed Act, the sale of customary land was deemed illegal.