Samarai-Murua DDA wants land portion back for development

Member for Samarai-Murua, Henry Leonard, questioned the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands, John Rosso on when the three portions of land in Woodlark Island be given back the District and the landowners.

MP Leonard said the land portion was given to a company in agreement for agriculture purposes but in 2020, however, officers from the National Lands Department did reported that the land was not used for its primary purpose.

"It has been almost six years now, when will the land be given back to the landowners and the DDA to develop the district." MP Leonard said the district needed the land to keep its economic program running. "In terms of eco-tourism, mining and carbon trading."

MP Leonard said recommendations were given to the Minister to forfeit the land and retain to the landowners and DDA for use and are still waiting for a response.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands, John Rosso made it clear to the people of Samarai- Murua that the land was an agricultural lease, alienated land, that was granted a long time ago to, prior to this government's term, to a private company for agricultural development purposes.

DPM Rosso assured the MP for Samarai Murua that he has forfeited the company from further developments apart from its primary agreed development.

Minister for Lands has confirmed that the company took Lands Department to court and this case is a court matter.

"Court processes take a lot of time, but we will continue to attend to the to ensure that forfeiture takes place over this portion of land and given to the DDA for their development as per their agenda," DPM Rosso said.