Three new land commissioners sworn into office

The Papua New Guinea Land Commission has appointed three new commissioners to help resolve land disputes and oversee special projects in mining areas.

The three commissioners were sworn into office by Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae at Government House on Tuesday.

The Land Commission was established under the Land Act 2022, bringing together the functions of the Lands Titles Commission, which deals with customary land matters, and the National Lands Commission, which handles land acquired during the colonial period.

In a small but significant ceremony witnessed by family members, Immanuel Sawan was appointed Commissioner of Lands for a four-year term.

He will initially handle land matters in the National Capital District and Central Province before extending his work to other provinces.

Former magistrates Mark Selifkaro and Cosmas Bidar have been appointed for six months to oversee special projects in the Gobe and Kainantu mining areas.

Chief Lands Commissioner Molean Kilepak welcomed the appointments, saying the commissioners' knowledge and experience would help address land disputes and other challenges across the country.

Under the law, commissioners must be sworn into office before they can carry out their judicial duties.

Mr Sawan said his immediate priority would be to address pending cases.

“I think the immediate priority is to work on hearings for NCD centres and other pending matters, depending on the funding that we are able to share and the Chief Commissioner's directions,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Land Commission plans to establish regional offices in Milne Bay, Vanimo, Manus and Imbonggu.