Justin Tkatchenko

The Minister stated that the director of fraud will be handing over the three officers, who will be permanently based in the lands department.

Tkatchenko reiterated that the officers’ first objective would be to go through more than 400 files and complaints laid in the lands department over the last six months.

“This is not a witch hunt, it is finally an opportunity to open doors to the lands department so frustrations and complaints can be dealt with accordingly. Enough is enough!”

Tkatchenko said the welcome and the kind gesture shown by the people of Goroka indicated that future meetings and visit to the province is likely to be considered.

The first delegates from the APEC visited on Wednesday while the others visited today.

Minister Tkatchenko told the APEC delegates that there is more to Papua New Guinea then Port Moresby.

He said that there was more in other center’s as well.

More to come...

Tkatchenko says he will be working with the NCD Governor, Powes Parkop, to address the land issues in NCD.

He said before his appointment, he as Moresby South MP and Governor Parkop pushed hard to secure land in the city for the resident but were met with many setbacks.

But today, as the Minster responsible, they are going to do the right thing for the people.

For years the NCD Governor had pushed for a separate land board so that the Planning Division in NCD could properly map out the city’s development.

Minster for Lands, Justin Tkatchenko, said this after he was questioned by Kairuku-Hiri MP, Peter Isoaimo.

Isoaimo asked Minister Tkatchenko on what was being done to find the missing files and when the Commission of Inquiry would be ready.

“What is his Department going to do about this, and when is the administrative Commission of Inquiry going to be concluded and its findings be made known to the people of Kairuku-Hiri and Papua New Guinea?”

Minister for Lands Justin Tkatchenko said they were approached by the Inquiry to provide the land files, however, they could not be located.

Tkatchenko said he has been informed the Inquiry are currently preparing their report to present to the National Executive Council.

In a media conference yesterday, Justin Tkatchenko said only 40 land files out of 100 had been found.

He said a thorough search within every corner of the Department will be made to find the documents.

Tkatchenko was flanked by the members of the Customary Land Advisor Committee (CLAC) during the announcement.

He said of the 40 land files, 10 have been cancelled as per court orders, voluntary surrender and legal advice as the SABL title holders did not follow proper procedures in attaining them.

Minister Maru said the delay in processing visa applications is a hindrance to trade and investment.

He said during his visit to India in December 2017, he was advised by individuals from various sectors about the delay in approving visas to PNG, which sometimes took months.

Minister Maru said countries around the world, even our nearest neighbours, have reformed their visa requirements and processes, making it much easier for persons from other countries to travel.

Minister Justin Tkatchenko said the State Solicitor has created a checklist which the Department is now crosschecking with all issued SABLs.

He said this is to ensure the state has a watertight case to revoke illegal SABLs.

Speaking to Loop PNG, Tkatchenko said the checklist outlines the correct and legal means of obtaining SABLs.

“I’m doing things by the book, so that it never comes back to hit us, and then we can get on with the job,” stated the minister.

Tkatchenko said currently banks do not allow the use of customary land as security for loans or mortgages.

Tkatchenko said the meeting held on Thursday (Jan 18) aims to find solutions that will allow landowners access to finance or arrangements.

The meeting was held with commercial bank heads and risk assessment officers and lawyers, as well as other government agencies.

“Now we’re working out a system where the bank will accept the customary land title and make it bankable for the benefit for the people of our country,” Tkatchenko stated.

2 kiosks are currently being built. These kiosks will sell fishing gears and other necessary products as well as normal store goods for people coming to the market.

Also, the public toilets will be renovated, with a complete upgrade to hotel standards.

According to Moresby South Member, Justin Tkatchenko, the toilets alone will cost K100,000.

“These will be very professionally done, just to ensure that our customers can have a proper, clean and healthy environment,” he said.