Shortage of Land Valuers prompts reinstatement of PNG Valuation Board
A dormant Land Valuation Board has been re-established to address the growing shortage of registered land valuers across Papua New Guinea.
The Department of Lands and Physical Planning [DLPP] officially welcomed members of the newly formed PNG Valuation Registration Board during a swearing-in ceremony in September at the department’s head office in Port Moresby.
Secretary Benjamin Samson, who officiated the event alongside Deputy Secretary for Land Services Michael Gideon, said the revival of the board marks a critical step toward restoring integrity and structure to the valuation profession.
“The Valuation Registration Board has long been dormant, and as a result, the profession has suffered from a lack of structure and accountability,” Secretary Samson said. “With this new board in place, we can now set clear guidelines and ensure valuers meet proper standards before registration.”
He added that the board’s activities must remain impartial and independently funded to maintain credibility and pledged DLPP’s commitment to supporting its operations.
The reactivation of the board comes as PNG faces a serious shortage of qualified valuers. Each province is expected to have at least one registered valuer, but the absence of a functioning board has left most provinces relying on a handful of aging professionals engaged on short-term contracts or consulting roles.
“We cannot continue to rely on ad hoc arrangements,” Samson said. “This board will help us build a pipeline of qualified professionals who meet national standards and are ready to serve.”
He also encouraged aspiring valuers within the Office of the Valuer General and graduates from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology [UNITECH] to take advantage of the board’s reinstatement and prepare their registration requirements.
The Valuation Registration Board was last active between 2017 and 2018.