East Sepik congress sets course for land reforms

East Sepik Deputy Provincial Administrator Economic Sector & 58th ASPNG Congress Manager John Aimos handing over the paddle representing hosting rights to 59th ASPNG Congress manager Marry Isoaimo during the closing ceremony at Village Inn Hotel Conference room, Wewak (Image: Supplied)

The 58th Association of Surveyors of Papua New Guinea [ASPNG] Congress recently concluded a five day congress in Wewak earlier this mont.

One of the key outcomes of the five-day congress was the establishment of a task force to review technical papers and recommendations presented during the 2025 and 2026 congresses and compile them into a formal submission for consideration by the ASPNG Council, the Minister for Lands, the National Executive Council [NEC], and Parliament.

The decision followed a challenge issued by East Sepik Governor Allan Bird during the official opening of the congress on June 3. Bird urged surveyors to raise professional standards, fight corruption within the sector, and regain the trust and confidence of the people of Papua New Guinea.

Delegates were committed to advance reforms aimed at strengthening land administration and professional standards within the surveying sector.

Congress Manager and Acting Deputy Provincial Administrator for Economic Services, John Aimos, said the initiative is the first of its kind for the association and will ensure issues identified by surveyors and allied professionals are translated into practical recommendations for government consideration.

Aimos said the annual congress provides an important forum for surveyors working in government agencies, private enterprises, statutory institutions, mining operations, and other sectors to discuss challenges facing the profession and identify solutions through research and technical papers.

Meanwhile, the closing ceremony also marked the official handover of hosting rights for the 2027 ASPNG Congress.

The ceremonial paddle, which symbolizes the authority granted under the ASPNG Constitution to host the annual congress, was formally passed to Mary Isoaimo, a surveyor with the National Housing Corporation.

Isoaimo will serve as Congress Manager for the 2027 congress, which will be hosted in Port Moresby.

The congress was held in Wewak from June 1-5, bringing together surveying and land professionals from across Papua New Guinea to discuss the future of the profession and its contribution to national development.