Vendors served notices

CAPITAL Centre Ltd (CCL), formerly known as Boy Consultancy Services Ltd, has served notices to vendors at the Jack Pidik Park in Port Moresby.
According to a statement yesterday, CCL said the land at Jack Pidik Park had been their property since April 14, 1991.
Lands and Physical Planning Minister John Rosso, in response to the matter, told The National that the issue was done before his term and he needed to get full facts from his department. Questions were sent to the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) and the Department of Lands and Physical Planning.
CCL is a Papua New Guinean-owned company and is part of the TST Group of companies.
In 1989, the government needed to extend the Port Moresby General Hospital facilities and the planned developments spread onto adjacent land that was owned by CCL.
The then Lands Minister Kala Swokin asked CCL to consider surrendering its land to the government in exchange for what is now known as Jack Pidik Park.
The government negotiated with CCL to consider the importance of the exchange and the company agreed to the exchange.
Due process was followed whereby the National Executive Council decisions were passed and a formal transfer to CCL commenced.
On April 14, 1991, a 99-year business lease was given to CCL.
CCL had suffered loss of business for 30 years due to unsuccessful court battles challenging its ownership and rights over Portion 2192 (Jack Pidik Park).
The courts ruled in favour of CCL, thus, the portion 2192 was zoned as commercial land and private property owned by the company.
It is understood that CCL had been open to discussions with NCDC for part of Portion 2192 to be retained as open space but there has been no response so far.