Lands

Minister for Lands & Physical Planning, and Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso stated this during Parliament sitting on Tuesday 10 January 2023, when responding to questions posed by Member for Rai Coast, Kessy Sawang.

“We have a budget of K150 million for land expansion in our country. The government in its wisdom has decided that we should acquire more land to increase what we currently have as alienated land.  Alienated land in the country is around 3 percent-4 percent out of the total land banking in the country.”

 The MOU is the latest step forward following years of Court proceedings that have directed NSL’s application for the lease for Portion 2158 to be determined by the National Land Board.

The MOU sets the framework that is expected to encourage a wider partnership in the future that will include relevant Government Agencies, to assist in delivering possible affordable housing solutions at 9 Mile.

A project Steering Committee including representatives of NSL, State Agencies and NCDC will be formed to assist in streamlining the development.

Minister responsible, Justin Tkatchenko, expressed disgust at the amount of falsified documents that the Lands team was able to dig out.

Minister Tkatchenko said the 373 land compensation files are from the highlands region.

“That’s Simbu Province, Southern Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Hela, Jiwaka, Western Highlands and Enga, that have been claiming for land compensation valued at K688 million. Now this is just absolutely absurd,” he said.