NATIONAL NEWS
BY JESHER TILTO JANUARY 27, 2026
THE Special Parliamentary Committee on Land and Land Reform in Papua New Guinea has highlighted poor governance as a barrier that has affected the country's socio-economic development over the years.
Committee Chairman and Hiri-Koiari MP Keith Iduhu said the people, particularly customary landowners, have been faced with illegal land-grabbing, fraudulent transactions, forced evictions, urban drift and informal settlements, among many other issues. Iduhu made these remarks at a high-level seminar on land issues in the country that was held in Port Moresby on Friday.
"The way-forward is clear, we must end land -related violence and corruption, safe-guard the rights of indigenous landowners to determine their own development priorities, ensure their free, prior and informed consent in all matters that affect their land," the MP said.
"We must also recognise restitution as the primary remedy for historic loss and alienation of traditional lands. Through extensive nation-wide consultation, we have heard clearly from customary landowners, community leaders, women, youth, and civil society about the challenges they face, including land-grabbing, fraudulent transactions, forced evictions, urban drift and informal settlements, internal displacement, and the growing impact of climate change."
Iduhu said committee would prepare a draft bill for parliament aimed at protecting people's land rights, while also allowing for sustainable development and better land reforms.
"The bill aims at reforming the legal framework for the recognition, registration, governance, and the use of customary land on Papua New Guinea," he said.
"It intends to harmonise customary practices with constitutional principles as well as to establish mechanisms for land-group incorporation, dispute resolution, and oversights."
Hon. Iduhu acknowledged the support of the United Nations (UN) hosting the seminar, including its work in the country over the years.
UN Development Programme resident representative Nicholas Booth said people needed such platforms to engage with their leaders to provide solutions of issues affecting the country.
"Parliamentary committees are a vital way of being able to reach out to the public and we are happy to support that," he said.
"Everything, including laws and policies around land, need consent so I commend the committee for taking on this important issue with transparency."
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