Drawing from the lessons of Baruni, Taurama, Vadavada, Dogura and other customary land, NCD Governor Powes Parkop has reiterated his call on the traditional landowners not to sell their land to private buyers other than State.
He made the call when leading a customary exchange ceremony at the Poreporena Freeway bus-stop near Konedobu yesterday. It was about publicly ironing out land dispute to allow the proposed freeway road project to take off the ground.
During the event, Governor Parkop strongly warned tribal groups and customary landowners against selling their traditional land to foreigners or private companies.
Parkop explained that under the latest changes to the Land Act (2024/2025), customary land can not be sold directly to any private person. This includes both Papua New Guineans and foreigners.
“The only legal buyer is the State, meaning any private land sale is illegal,” he explained to city residents and the landowners.
He clarified that land can still be leased or transferred to the state for development, but this must be done only through proper government processes.
Governor Parkop said these laws were created to protect customary ownership, adding they also ensure landowners still get a chance to work with the government on future development projects.
He noted that the State can help formalize land arrangements.
The arrangement features securing the landowners’ rights and financial benefits, including through lease options such as Special Agricultural and Business Leases (SABLs).
Governor Parkop urged landowners not to repeat situations seen in Baruni and nearby areas. At Baruni land sale turned nasty when the landowners torched company assets.
There, he noted, many people sold their land cheaply and were later left scattered without long-term benefits.
Instead, he encouraged landowners to work with the State or upgrade their land status. This would allow them to sell it at a much higher value in the future and ensure their children benefit when they are gone to rest.
Governor Parkop thanked the community leaders for supporting the new road project and allowing work to begin.