Papua New Guinea, Australia’s former colony and nearest neighbour, has been going to the polls in a parliamentary election that concludes tomorrow. As is common in countries with major logistical challenges, voting has been staggered over a two-week period.
The value of customary land when left in local hands and the issue of compensation for the SABL land grab have both been highlighted in a seminar organised by ACT NOW!
The seminar featured Sydney University academic Dr Tim Anderson. Dr Anderson presented his report on assessing compensation for the wrongful loss of customary land.
The event was featured by all the TV networks in their evening news programs - their coverage can be viewed below.
The SABL land grab has once again raised the issue of compensation for rural communities when outsiders unlawfully occupy or cause damage on their land. How do you assess the losses when there are no market values for customary land in Papua New Guinea?
Corporations fill the media with talk about large-scale industries, resource extraction and export earnings. However, Papua New Guinea’s real, rural based, mainstream economy is far bigger and deserves much greater attention.
Most land in Papua New Guinea is occupied and controlled by clans or communities. They have extensive rights over how the land is used and who has access. These rights are recognized in our Constitution and Land laws. This ‘customary’ land has provided the basis for our very existence for generations. Without our land, we cannot survive.
West Sepik is one of the most heavily logged Provinces in Papua New Guinea, but after decades of logging, local people are asking where has all the money gone and whatever happened to all the promised development?
Jamal S Kimes
Today some 72 ILG Chairmen from Amanab FMA Blocks 1-4 meet in a secluded Village Resort in Vanimo again to discuss important matters affecting them as a result of the logging operations in their area.
People living in the Pomio district say the three local men who have been vocal in a logging company owned newspaper, supporting SABL leases and the operations of Rimbunan Hijau, do not represent the majority.
The local people say it is completely wrong to claim the Sigite Mukus Integrated Rural Development Project is an SABL success story, as claimed by Mathew Lila, James lelrea lutkal and Bruno Tevolman.
Jessica Mesa and her child, Heisi, critically ill with complications from TB. Photo: Benedict Moran
Hosting the 2018 APEC Summit in Port Moresby will not boost Papua New Guinea’s development and will in fact lead to the deaths of many more people than it will assist, says community advocacy group, ACT NOW!
