Special Agriculture Business Lease

Funeral for former Miss PNG late Ruby Laufa on Friday

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/funeral-former-miss-png-late-ruby-laufa-friday-52994

The country will farewell former Miss Papua New Guinea the late Ruby-Anne Laufa on Friday, February 24.

Mangos appointment rescinded

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/mangos-appointment-rescinded-53007

Promises by the Prime Minister to cancel the SABLs, stop illegal logging and to return the land to its rightful owners, as recommended by the commission have not been fulfilled.

Ignatius Matapia from Malakur Village in the Unung-Sigite SABL area says his people are still struggling to keep the logging company off their land.

“My people are defending their land against the logging company every day, mounting protests and building blockades.

Customary landowner Anna Sipona from Malmal Village in west Pomio said the SABL is a strange concept to the people of Pomio that promotes human rights abuse.

Representing the silent majority in the affected villages in west Pomio, Sipona said the SABL issue is not just about land and logging but about the human rights of women and children.

“Women and children are the biggest losers in this land grab and it is just another form of abuse.

Call for action on SABL by 10,000 customary landowners

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/call-action-sabl-10000-customary-landowners-52878

About 10,000 post cards signed by concerned customary landowners across the country were delivered today to the Lands Department Office calling for action on the Special Agriculture Business Lease land grab.

Kulunga’s Slip rule application heard

The signed post cards petitioning the Government were presented by representatives from SABL affected areas organised by community advocacy group ACT NOW.

Paul Pavol from Mu village in Pomio, East New Britain Province led the group to deliver their grievances calling on the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the Government to cancel the leases and stop SABL.

In June 2013, the SABL Commission of Inquiry revealed how government officers have facilitated the theft of over 50,000 square kilometres of land from customary landholders.