Madang Landowners are calling on the National Government to be faithful to their word by cancelling all illegal SABL leases, stop all illegal logging AND return the land to its customary owners.

Over 5 million hectares of customary land in Papua New Guinea has been stolen from local people over a period of time. Using Special Agriculture and Business Leases (SABLs), foreign companies were unlawfully been given 99 year-rights to own the land mass.

In June 2014, the Prime minister, Peter O’Neil announced the Government would cancel all 77 SABLs investigated by the Commission of Inquiry, which uncovered massive fraud and lack of due process in granting the Leases. The commission has recommended 77 of the Leases be revoked as they are illegal.

The communities of Sumkar District in the Madang Province, recently welcomed the Papua New Guinea Government announcement but want more action and less talking from the Prime minister.  Willie Banik, the Ward 22 councillor of Rempi village said that: “What Development and Development for who ? We are not benefitting at all so stop all illegal logging and return our land..”

People of Rempi, Madang showing thier stance on SABL. 29th June 2014

Earlier in May, the Collingwood Bay Land Portion____ was returned to its owners by consent following a long court Battle. On 4^th July, 2014, a declaration was made by the National Court that SABL over Portion 144c in Turubu, East Sepik Province is void. Meanwhile, a similar court proceeding in Pomio of East New Britain Province continues in the National Court. 

It’s simple. If the Commission of Inquiry found these leases to be illegal, and if the National Government has announced it’s cancellation, the illegal logging should also stop.