By Theckla Gunga – EMTV News, Port Moresby
The National Fraud Squad will investigate land titles which were alleged to be fraudulently awarded to over 300 people at the Duran Farm, in the Moresby North-East Electorate. This follows formal complaints registered at the Fraud Office by Housing Minister, John Kaupa today.
Mr. Kaupa said an internal investigation conducted by the National Housing Corporation had uncovered that those fraudulent titles were not issued through proper processes.
Through findings of the internal investigation, Minister Kaupa said the Housing Corporation can identify those officers involved and summon them for prosecution.
“These land titles were not issued following due process and I have registered the complaint so fraud officers will check and question those people involved, some of them are very senior officers of the Lands Department.”
Kaupa said over 300 land titles were fraudulently awarded and this has delayed the governments’ plans to build houses at the Duran Farm. The land in dispute is next to the McGregor Police Barracks outside Port Moresby.
Last week, Minister Kaupa accused former Moresby North-East MP, Labi Amaiu, for being involved in these deals, but the former MP has denied this allegation.
The construction work has been parked for almost a year now following the fraudulent issue of land titles.
