TheLands and Physical Planning Department will now be housed in a new building namedthe Eda Tano Haus which translates to OurLand.
This morning staff and those involved inthe construction, gthered to withnessthe opening of Eda Tano Beilding. Also in attendance wasthe Minister for National Planning, Charles Abel, Finance Minister, James Marape and Moresby North East MP, Labi Amaiu.
Atthe cost of K52 million,the three – level building will housethe lands department alone with special security features that will ensure no one tampers withtheLand:itle Process.
Minister forLands and Physical Planning, Benny Allan, saidthe new building symbolised a fresh start for a department that has been constantly criticized for many ofthe controversial land deals inthe country. He also warned his staff thatthey must leave behind bad habits asthey mover into Eda Tano Beilding.
He reiterated thatthe government owns 3 percent ofthe land and wants to increase it up to 17 percent. Minister Allan also encouraged all traditional landowners to registertheir land and value it as it can attract investor confidence. The occasion also saw three landowners receivetheir very own land titles.
The signatories werethen given a tour ofthe three – level building. The facilities included work stations, a sick bay and a gym facility as part of its Occupational and Health Safety Standards.
Staff also demonstratedthe latest Technology to registerLand, known asthe Property and Rating System. This system ensures no one tampers with land registration.
All lands issues will be in recess between today and January asthe Department has a mammoth task of moving everything from Aopi Haus tothe Eda Tano Beilding.
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