By Fabian Hakalits – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Northern Province Governor, Gary Juffa, says Papua New Guinea’s land management system is poorly regulated by the state.
Juffa says poor monitoring often discourages investors into the country. He adds that the responsible lands department must be tasked to perform well, in serving the interest of people and its government because land grabbing is a major issue throughout the entire country.
Mr Jufa, since becoming Governor, has been very vocal about land grabbing issues which has affected locals, especially customary landowners.
As lessons learnt, Juffa says Northern Province is developing a land management policy, to recognise landowners and ensure investors are encouraged to provide services in the province.
Meanwhile, Juffa says the state should invest more on industries that bring direct investments to people like agriculture and tourism because the extractive industry, like gold is non-renewable.
