There are diverse issues that concern individual Papua New Guineans in different ways, but the one issue that will always be of great cultural and emotional significance to all of us is our land. Taking away someone’s land or their right to it, is as good as amputating all four of their limbs.

Melchior Warre, a Papagraun (customary landowner) from Papua New Guinea's Madang Province, is attending a commission of inquiry investigation hearing into the use of Special Agriculture Leases (SABLs).

In this video clip Mel says why his Ramu People are against 99-year Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABL). 

By Martyn Namorong

Special Purpose Agriculture Business Leases (SABLs) are granted under sections 11 and 102 of the Land Act 1996. In other words these sections of the Land Act enable the conversion of customary land into SABLs.

The process by which that happens is roughly as follows.

An application is made by the landowners to the Lands Department in Port Moresby, for their land to be taken up under an SABL.

A Land Investigation Number is then given by the Land Department in Port Moresby.

Martyn Namorong

The Commission of Inquiry into Special Purpose Agriculture business leases ended its hearings in Wewak yesterday. It heard further evidence related to Portion 144C, Sepik Oil Palm – Turubu SABL.

Martyn Namorong

Landowners from the Turubu and Saussi areas have submitted sworn affidavits to the Commission of Inquiry through their lawyer, Mr. Hubert Wali. These villagers are affected by the Sepik Oil Palm Project, Portion 144C COMMONLY REFFERED TO AS THE Turubu Oil Palm Project.

Martyn Namorong

Jemima Garrett

A Commission of Inquiry into disputed land leases in Papua New Guinea has referred executives of a land holding company to the police, after an incident of alleged intimidation against Commissioner, Nicholas Mirou.

Commissioner Nicholas Mirou referred four executives of Limoa Holdings, including its chairman Francis Yabarasa to police after an incident at the company's nursery site at Turubu in East Sepik province earlier this week. 

Martyn Namorong

Commissioner Nicholas Mirou continued o stress through the SABL hearings in Wewak, that the Land Act does not provide for the revocation of SABLs. The Land At 1996 provides at section 102 for the creation of Special Purpose Leases. Section 102 does not even specify where such leases should be owned by Papua New Guineans or Foreigners or both.

By Martyn Namorong

The Commission of Inquiry into Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SABL) concluded its hearings yesterday at around 7PM after Hon. Tony Aimo (pictured) gave witness regarding the Nugwaia-Bongos Integrated Agriculture Project. The Project which is in Mr. Aimo’s electorate also incorporates his customary land.

By Gabriel Fito

A Commissioner executing the national government-sanctioned Commission of Inquiry of the Special Agriculture Business Lease (SABL) hearing into the Sepik Oil Palm Plantation Ltd has expressed disappointment over an incident at the project site last Wednesday.

Commissioner Nicholas Mirou said he was shocked and terrified when another vehicle driven by an aggrieved landowner company executive speeded towards the vehicle carrying him in an erratic and dangerous manner.