Sunday, 8 November 2015

IPA to takeover Incorporated Land Groups Directorate

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, June 25, 2014 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)



AS per directives received from the National Executive Council’s to the Department of Lands and Physical Planning in the aftermath of the SABL Commission of Enquiry- one being the transference of the Director of Incorporated Land Groups (ILGs) be transferred to the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA).

Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning Romilly Kila-Pat revealed that his department would engaged in talks with IPA on the implementing the directive.

“I have also given directions to that effect to be signed by me to my colleague the CEO IPA so that a meeting can be convened anytime this week for us to sit down and look at how those arrangements can be made, and if it is workable, the office of ILG can be moved,” Secretary Kila-Pat said.

He, however, had reservations on the actual outcome of such an arrangement, stating that there would conflicts in functions of something that more a land process then of IPA’s jurisdiction. 

“That is something I cannot say can be done because we are bringing two entities together to try and take on a role that is predominantly land related,” he explained.

“ILG is all about land- it’s only when it comes to registering the ILG with IPA is when the process starts with them.”

“Those are the things that we have to sit down with our lawyers and make sure that all those things are in order before anything happens.”

He added that despite that, as a direction from NEC the Department of Lands and Physical planning and the Investment Promotion Authority would take steps, including legislative amendments to transfer the administration of incorporated land groups from the department to IPA.

“I’ve given directions for that to be implemented but to start off by a way of a meeting, because when you look at the functions of IPA and ILG, ours is almost 100 percent land related activities as to what IPA does.”

“There is definitely going to be issues we need to deal with- suddenly IPA is going to perform a land function, whether it is a mandated role or whether there have to be amendments to cater for any changes that take place.”

“When you look at ILG it is a very long process that can be taken on board which can affect issues of structure.”


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