Landowners put up land for development in Pom

Caption: 3D model of the estate.

Caption: Members of the Badu ILG



By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, July 31, 2013 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)



Badu, Incorporated Land Group (ILG) in Port Moresby held a forum yesterday to inform all stakeholders of their intention to put up their customary land to develop an estate on the outskirts of the city.

The proposed estate called, Karikavara, will between the Six Mile and East Boroko nestled in a valley, and the forum was aimed at strengthening partnership and collaboration for sustainable development between all stakeholders in the true spirit of the constitution.

KavikavaraEstate is an initiative of the Badu ILG, who aim to mobilise their customary registered land, Claim 70 portion, to pilot a self-sustaining residential estate, with various provisions within it.

It is planned to have educational, health, economic, social and, social transport facilities, however, the main emphasis will be for residential purposes.

The landowners have also allocated land free to the government for an access road, 20 meters wide, to run through the estate- giving access between both areas mentioned and the Magi Highway.

Blocks within the estate will be put up for sale on a 10 year lease-back arrangement, all which have been allocated with proper physical planning, survey planning, and valuation almost completed.

All at the expense of the ILG, who have spent thousands of kina to make the project a reality, and have extended an open invitation for potential residential and commercial tenants, to register their demand for land allotments.

Badu ILG is comprised of the Badu clan, who are Koitabuans- the traditional landowners of most of what is now Port Moresby.

They own land in and around other parts of the city like Taurama, Kaugere, Three Mile, Sabama- with notable portions they have claims to like where the Port Moresby General Hospital now stands, and also the land where old Sir Donald Cleland Pool used to be.

Ulea Baeau, Badu ILG Secretary said that the project was the initiative of the group, to not only benefit them, but also the country and city as a whole in line with the government’s vision to have 20 per cent of customary land freed up for development by 2050.

“The government is looking for land to develop, and here we are putting up our land for the betterment of our city,” he said.

He, however, mentioned the dilemma on who would be responsible for the displacement of illegal settlers who currently reside on the project area, and called for relevant authorities to take more responsibility for them as contributors to the city coffers.