The University of Papua New Guinea has taken out a National Court order, preventing Nature Park and its associates from carrying out any developments, the removal or destroying of any structures, plants, trees, flowers or animals on the portion of land.
The University is challenging what it claims has been the fraudulent transfer and acquisition of 30 hectares of its land, where the popular Nature Park is located.
Parties involved in this matter include John Rosso as Lands Minister, Oswald Tolopa as acting Lands Secretary, Benjamin Samson as Registrar of Titles, NCDC, Helios Limited, trading as Nature Park, and the State as first to sixth defendants.
Nature Park, formally known as the Botanical Garden, is a recreational park located just next to the University of Papua New Guinea on the road to Gerehu in the Moresby North-East electorate.
The matter before the National Court includes claims that there are no records from the UPNG Registrar involving any discussions, approvals or agreement between UPNG, NCDC and Helios Limited about the transferral and acquisition of the land.
The interim injection or temporary prevention orders restricting Nature Park and its associates from continuing any operation on the land was obtained last Tuesday, 5th of November.
The UPNG Registrar as the custodian of all UPNG Lands and Properties is now questioning how the land title was transferred to a foreign national without its consent.
This matter returns to court next Tuesday.
The Port Moresby Nature park meanwhile has remained closed since Tuesday.
By Theckla Gunga – EM TV News, Port Moresby
