The Papua New Guinea government has appointed a Commission of Inquiry to investigate a huge 'land grab' which has seen over 5 million hectares of land swallowed up in 99 year leases. These Special Agriculture and Business Leases (SABLs) are very controversial as it appears proper processes have not been followed, customary landholders have not given their informed consent and many leases are just a cover for clear-fell logging.
This dedicated blog site has been created to cover the Commission of Inquiry proceedings and bring you all the latest news both from inside the inquiry room and other media outlets.
By Martyn Namorong
Special Purpose Agriculture Business Leases (SABLs) are granted under sections 11 and 102 of the Land Act 1996. In other words these sections of the Land Act enable the conversion of customary land into SABLs.
The process by which that happens is roughly as follows.
An application is made by the landowners to the Lands Department in Port Moresby, for their land to be taken up under an SABL.
A Land Investigation Number is then given by the Land Department in Port Moresby.
Martyn Namorong
The Commission of Inquiry into Special Purpose Agriculture business leases ended its hearings in Wewak yesterday. It heard further evidence related to Portion 144C, Sepik Oil Palm – Turubu SABL.
Martyn Namorong
Landowners from the Turubu and Saussi areas have submitted sworn affidavits to the Commission of Inquiry through their lawyer, Mr. Hubert Wali. These villagers are affected by the Sepik Oil Palm Project, Portion 144C COMMONLY REFFERED TO AS THE Turubu Oil Palm Project.
Jemima Garrett
A Commission of Inquiry into disputed land leases in Papua New Guinea has referred executives of a land holding company to the police, after an incident of alleged intimidation against Commissioner, Nicholas Mirou.
Commissioner Nicholas Mirou referred four executives of Limoa Holdings, including its chairman Francis Yabarasa to police after an incident at the company's nursery site at Turubu in East Sepik province earlier this week.
Martyn Namorong
Commissioner Nicholas Mirou continued o stress through the SABL hearings in Wewak, that the Land Act does not provide for the revocation of SABLs. The Land At 1996 provides at section 102 for the creation of Special Purpose Leases. Section 102 does not even specify where such leases should be owned by Papua New Guineans or Foreigners or both.
By Martyn Namorong
The Commission of Inquiry into Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SABL) concluded its hearings yesterday at around 7PM after Hon. Tony Aimo (pictured) gave witness regarding the Nugwaia-Bongos Integrated Agriculture Project. The Project which is in Mr. Aimo’s electorate also incorporates his customary land.
By Gabriel Fito
A Commissioner executing the national government-sanctioned Commission of Inquiry of the Special Agriculture Business Lease (SABL) hearing into the Sepik Oil Palm Plantation Ltd has expressed disappointment over an incident at the project site last Wednesday.
Commissioner Nicholas Mirou said he was shocked and terrified when another vehicle driven by an aggrieved landowner company executive speeded towards the vehicle carrying him in an erratic and dangerous manner.
By Martyn Namorong
Mr Peter Kuman of Kuman Lawyers (shown seated as the project manger of Brilliant Investments is being sworn into the witness stand) is attending the Commission of Inquiry hearings in Wewak as counsel representing the exploiters of Marrienberg SPABL – Brilliant Investments.
Martyn Namorong
“Makeshift jobs!” That has been the impression of the Commissioner and the counsels assisting the Commission of Inquiry into Special Purpose Agriculture Business Leases. The Commission visted Marrienberg and the Nungawai-Bongos SPABL sites.
