Prime Minister James Marape has launched seventeen resolutions of the 2019 National Lands Summit.
The seventeen resolutions were made after close consultations with land owners and development partners in all four regions of the country.
The resolutions were presented to the National Executive Council, who approved recently.
These resolutions now allows for new land reforms to b made on customary land.
“I am more than convinced that this is a way forward for PNG to realize its development aspirations through empowering of our people to utilize their land to improve their livelihood,” Lands Minister John Rosso said.
According to Minister Rosso, a committee has been established to roll out the reformed program.
The program called the National Land Reform program will address issues affecting customary land.
A total of 15 million kina will be allocated to the program, each year, in the next five years.
“Consequently, I remain committed to this great initiative and will ensure I initiate the implementation of these 17 resolutions during the term of this government,” Minister Rosso added.
Prime Minister James Marape also pointed out that about 95 percent of land in the country is owned by Papua New Guineans.
“Not too many countries, globally speaking, their citizens own land.” Marape said.
“Our citizens own land, and if we properly work it through and ensure that the land is convertible, that land can be used for investment, than certainly our people can be on the right path towards sustaining their own lives on their own land.” The Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister said, his government’s intention is not to take land rights from land owners through this reform, but to help empower them.
By Rayon Lakingu, EMTV News, Port Moresby
