SPECIAL PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE HOSTS HEARING ON CUSTOMARY LAND REFORMS

By Nigel MADO

THE Special Parliamentary Committee on Customary Land & Land Reforms kicked of day 3 of the Nationwide Hearings at the Dame Rose Kekedo Lecture Theatre, University of Technology in Lae, where they met with Landowners and Landowner groups to discuss current land laws and issues pertaining to their usage.

Following a notice published in the media, the Chair of the Special Parliamentary Commtittee and member for Hiri-Koiari, Kieth Iduhu stated that the main aim for the hearing was to seek out recommendations from landowners for a way forward, adding that Customary land tenure is the hallmark of life in Papua New Guinea.
Iduhu mentioned that it underpins the livelihoods of many people in PNG, cultural identity, and the social stability of the vast majority of citizens.

Approximately 95% to 97% of the land in PNG is held under customary ownership, many being undocumented. With little-to-no documents that represent inherent indigenous rights and privileges over special parcels of land.

He stated that for decades, the existing legal framework has failed to adequately define, protect and to facilitate the sustainable development or protection of these vital lands, which has leading to pervasive uncertainty, damaging disputes, and tragically missed opportunities for the national prosperity and individual empowerment of respective families, clans, and people in general.