Wafi-Golpu land hearing nears completion

 The Land Titles Commission hearing into the ownership of the disputed Wafi-Golpu land, which is currently being explored for minerals by Morobe Explorations Joint Venture, a sister company of gold miner Morobe Mining Joint Venture, is expected to be completed by the end of this month.  

The hearing into the disputed land started in August 2009 to decide on a determination.

Twenty-nine parties are claiming ownership of the land and the court has been hearing evidence since January last year and is expected to wrap up this month and adjourn for deliberation. CommissionerLawrence Titimur said a determination was expected to be handed down in the next three months.

He said he was happy with the progress of the hearing although they had anticipated the completion of evidence hearing at the end of last year.

As of yesterday, three claimant groups remained to be heard. 

Clans, sub-clans and tribes from Parakris, Wampet, Gabensis, Mare, Chiatz, Omalai, Gawapu, Dambi, Biamena, Towangola, Gurako, Piu, Gabsongkec, Patep, Hengabu, Yanta, Babwaf and Bupu are claiming ownership of the land on which Morobe Mining Joint Venture intends to mine.