by Bethanie Harriman EMTV Lae
Morobe Governor, Kelly Naru has told Lae City’s traditional landowners not to sell their land.
He said this at the Malahang Ahi Local Level Government Office when addressing a crowd outside the office.
Whilst, responding to complaints regarding land grabbing and illegal settlements in a petition, Naru said customary landowners are responsible for the increase in settlements.
The petition answered by Governor Naru on the 18th of November was given to the Provincial Government last week Thursday after a two day protest that brought Lae City to a stand still.
“We will pass a law were a customary landowner and the provincial government will have the power to evict unruly settlements,” said Governor Naru.
He also said the Provincial Government is fighting court battles to reposes state land back from individuals who obtained land under dubious circumstances.
“There are businessman who own land and now we are in court to get back the land belonging to the state.”
