No customary land will be bought by the National Government for the Sepik Economic Zone (SEZ) project.
That is the guarantee from Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Richard Maru.
Maru is the local Member for Yangoru-Saussia Electorate, the location of the SEZ Project in East Sepik Province.
He said the project will start at Kanuki, which is a State land.
“Government is not interested in buying your land; we want to empower you to engage in business opportunities,” Maru said.
He appealed to his people not to believe rumours on social media that the government will take all their land.
Minister Maru said Yangoru-Saussia District Development Authority allocated K600,000 for land mobilisation and Incorporated Land Group (ILG) registration for landowners.
He said landowners with a clear ILG title will deal directly with the developer of the Sepik chicken, grain and cocoa project as outgrowers.