Caption:
(L) Secretary Romily Kila-Pat hands over ILG certificate to Tubu Maga clan
Chairman Madaha Resena (center shaking hands).
By
MATTHEW VARI
IN a bid to
move on from the revocation of their SABL lease with their development partner
as a result of the National Executive Council decision to revoke 25 SABL
following recommendations from the SABL Commission of Enquiry- the Tubu Maga
clan of Tatana village in the National Capital District have received their ILG
(Incorporated Land Group) certificate from the Department of Lands.
The
acquisition of ILG certificate paves the way for the clan to register their
customary land which will enable them to reissue business lease for up to 99
years with a developer all under the amended ILG Act of 2012.
In a move
that received a lot of praise from the Secretary of Lands Romily Kila-Pat, the
move will see the portion 2541 of Uduvaivai No.2 continue to be developed for
the clan under the revoked lease holder Roselaw Limited, which is a company
formed by a clan member who has development projects on the land portion.
“Let me
acknowledge your willingness and participation in this process- because when
the decision was handed down for your SABL lease to be cancelled- you took it
initially with mixed feelings but then at the end of the day that was a
decision made,” Secretary Kila-Pat said.
“Many were
concerned because a lot of work has already taken place on a number of SABLs in
terms of major investment activities throughout the country, including concern
by development partners who may feel they are going to miss out as a result of
this.”
“You are
the very first group that has taken the initiative and I want to congratulate
you as whatever the change that has taken place does not put you in a
disadvantaged position but strengthens you- in terms of your interest in the
land and you will continue to hold title of your land.”
He said
that it was their role is to facilitate, protect, and secure landowner interest
so Papua New Guineans continue to be landowners and not to lose their land.
“Under the
customary land registration- the law is very specific in saying that you cannot
sell your land- you can only lease your land for up to 99 years- that is much
more secure and it will be there for you forever,” Kila-Pat reiterated.
“Upon the
expiration of the lease- it will be subject to negotiations between you and the
developer, so that can include new terms and conditions.”
“Immediately
after this we would expect you to lodge with the department your application
for customary land registration so we can register it and the process is
complete.”
He also
reminded the other 24 revoked SABL holders, that the 14 days period to return
the SABL lease document was week, and the next week we are going to begin
cancellations of those titles.
“We have
not had any responses from the others other than the Tubu Maga- I guess
everyone are just waiting to see what is going to happen,” he said.
Executive
of ILG were thankful for the ILG certificate present- adding that it has been a
long road for them to achieve the outcome.
They also
pointed out the importance of obtaining the legally recognized certificate in
terms of outstanding land matters of the clan.
A total of
131 ILGs have been registered so far under the revised amendment of the ILG Act
2012 from all over the country.
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