By Luana Paniu

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SPABL) will use relevant court documents and information from research institutes and various organisations including landowners to begin investigations. 


Director for CoI and Investigation branch of the Prime Minister’s Department, Mathew Yuangu said this will be a foundation for the CoI, which will include visitation to specific SPABL sites in the country.


Mr Yuangu explained that the procedure will be followed by the CoI will be done in a transparent manner for public viewing. 

He also revealed that approval had been given for the set up of another Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the issue of Urban Development Leases to immediately follow the CoI into the Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Lease (SPABL). This is due to the increase of unauthorised developments within the urban centres, particularly in the nation’s capital.


Mr Yuangu said the Acting Prime Minister, Sam Abal had given the approval as it had become a controversial problem with issues such as sub-dividing of portions by landowners from different areas of the Central Province.


A public notice published in the Post-Courier on July 13 by the Physical Planning Board of the NCD also expressed concern that “given the scarcity of alienated State land in the city for development purposes, investors are targeting customary land purchase and establishing their own businesses.”


The notice, which was referring to the flurry of foreign investors into the city to gain spin-off benefits of the LNG project, said foreigners carrying out new developments on customary land were doing so illegally without NCD Physical Planning Board approval. Port Moresby landowners reiterated that titles were being awarded to foreign investors without their consent and developments taking place on portions and allotments of their land.


On issue of the CoI into the SPABL, he said a Special Taskforce will then be appointed to implement recommendations from the CoI.


It is expected to begin on July 18 because instruments required such as mobilising of appointed members, with three still outside the city to take place, budget and preparation of venue were yet to be finalised.