The government has tried to bury and forget the SABL land grab scandal in which more than 5 million hectares of land has been stolen from rural communities.

It is using a well tested formula that we see employed almost every time a new corruption scandal is exposed:

1.  First a long-drawn out official inquiry that is delayed by funding and other logistical problems.

2.  Then a further delay before the inquiry findings are tabled in Parliament.

Originally aired on EMTV's Olsem Wanem program, LIQUID GOLD is a short documentary film on the potential of the honey industry in Papua New Guinea.

The honey industry is a perfect example of how ordinary people can use their customary land for small and medium sized businesses that sustain their families and develop their communities.

Such enterprises also support the national economy, reduce our dependence on foreign imports and help make Papua New Guinea a strong, vibrant and independent nation.

Photo: New oil palm planting and processing mill in Pomio District, ENBP

Customary land registration processes can easily be captured by local ‘big men’ and companies with disastrous consequences for local people. This is the conclusion drawn in a study on recent oil palm expansion in Papua New Guinea by academic Caroline Hambloch from the University of London. 

Communities affected by three Special Agriculture Business Leases in the West Pomio District of East New Britain Province have assessed the economic damage caused by logging and oil palm planting at more than K2.4 billion.

Frangipani and Galip Nut-PNG (Photo:Dorothy Luana)

Source: Caroline Tiriman, ABC Radio

Wanpla farmer na bisnismeri long Papua New Guinea itok, moni istap long graon na ol pipal imas iusim graon blong ol long mekim moni.

Dorothy Luana husat i gat wanpla Galip farm long Kokopo District long East New Britain provins i mekim despla toktok bihaen long emi wok long mekim gutpla bisnis wantem galip long Port Moresby.

By Scott Waide | #Inspirational #Papua New Guineans

Twenty years ago, Edith Babul’s, young son, collected the seeds of a rather exotic Indian Guava fruit he found smashed on a road.

Hon. Jelta Wong MP via FaceBook

Court Order against Bruno Niu Wirka, Lamus Incorporated Land Group & Tzen Niugini Limited successful; restrained from conducting any eviction, destruction of property, Oil Palm planting whatsoever in Portion 910C Millinch Pondo, Fourmil Rabaul ENB. 

Tzen Nuigini Limited remove all its machines and employees from the above stated portion / Millinch

OUR LAND 

Land was entrusted to us by our ancestors for our use and to be kept in trust for the use of countless millions yet to be born 

OUR FUTURE 

We will leave behind legacies. When your grandsons and the future generations think of us, they will always remember us not as idiots, but as legendary Sausso nien. 

Organic sun dried chillies grown in Eastern Highlands Province

The argument that customary land has to be given away to enable 'development'  has been shown yet again, to be 'giaman' (a lie). 

The photos below, taken by journalist and blogger Scott Waide, show how small farmers are using their customary land to grow and sell spices, and farm bees for honey to support their families. 

Author: Justin Ondopa

UNDP and World Bank must stay away from land policies in Papua New Guinea.