Vocal Governor for Oro, Garry Juffa has called on the Government to listen to the people and cancel all Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABL) identified as illegal in the SABL Inquiry.
Juffa echoed these sentiments after applauding the landowners of East New Britain and East Sepik who have secured a victory in overturning an illegal SABL in their provinces.
Juffa, who had supported a similar case in his province to overturn an SABL said justice has truly been served.
He said that prolonged delays suggested that the Government was compromised or scared of the companies involved in the illegal logging of forests granted under the SABL scams.
Juffa added that the Government should also have the companies criminally charged for fraud and stealing and tax evasion.
In two separate cases, on August 25 and 30, 2016, PNG’s National and Supreme Court invalidated the lease of customary lands to foreign companies through the controversial Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABLs).
The court decisions will return a total of over 150,000 hectares to the landowners in East New Britain and East Sepik provinces.