Understand processes, resident tells mayor

A LONG-time Lae resident is calling on Lae city lord mayor James Khay to understand the procedures on acquiring land before making public statements.
Simon Mala said Khay should understand the process of acquiring the land.
He said the process took months and years before a seal of approval was given by either the provincial lands board or the national land board. 
Mala said he agreed that acquiring land through fraudulent means was an ongoing issue in all major cities and towns in the country.
He made the comments following a report that Lae city was investigating 20 questionable land deals, including reserved lots for government agencies.
Khay claimed more than 20 public recreational parks and land reserved for government agencies were obtained without approval from proper authorities.
It is understood that Morobe Governor Kelly Naru has called on Lands and Physical Planning Minister Benny Allen to set up an independent Commission of Inquiry into the controversial land deals in Lae city immediately.
Naru said due to limited land, all land must be divided fairly and equally to all interested investors instead of having one person to acquire more than two portions of land.
Mala disagreed with Naru, saying business houses needed land to expand.
“They have right to apply for land due to expansion of their business. If they restrict companies from obtaining two portions of land, it will be unfair,” he said.
“We might chase the business away from Lae. Major business such as Papindo, Seeto Kui and many LNG-contracted companies need more land to conduct their business,” he said.
He said he hoped common sense prevailed when making decisions on such important issues in Lae city.