LAND TITLES ARE NOT FREE: GOVERNOR PARKOP CLARIFIES RESETTLEMENT POSITION FOR 2 MILE FAMILIES

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop has clarified that land titles issued to families affected by the 2 Mile relocation are not free and will not be given away at no cost, as part of the government’s commitment to lawful and dignified urban development.

Governor Parkop stressed that while settlers and those at 2 Mile are being supported to resettle properly, ownership of land within the city must follow due process and payment, that has always been the case for state land in Papua New Guinea.

“No one has ever received free land titles inside state land or within the city,” Governor Parkop said.

“Even Public servants who serve this country do not get land for free, so nobody should expect free titles.”

He confirmed that 80 families being relocated from 2 Mile have been allocated properly surveyed land with legal titles at 6 Mile, and that these titles have either been paid for already or will be paid for over time.

“This is about giving our people dignity, security, and a lawful pathway to ownership.”

Governor Parkop explained that many people living in settlements do so not by choice, but because access to affordable land and housing in Port Moresby has been difficult for decades.

High rental costs and slow land administration processes have pushed families into informal settlements.

“Our people want to live in proper homes,” he said. “They want to raise their children in safety and dignity. But when access to land is denied or delayed, we condemn our people to settlements.”

He reiterated that the relocation from 2 Mile is necessary due to the construction of Sir Hubert Murray road, which has taken up land previously occupied by homes.

“We do not have a choice but to relocate,” Governor Parkop said. “Where the road goes, water and power follows. This is how we must plan our city.”

Governor Parkop highlighted examples across the city, including 9 Mile, 8 Mile, Vadavada and Taurama Valley, where residents have accessed land legally, paid for their titles, and gone on to build permanent homes and businesses.

“At 9 Mile, people have built good homes and even guesthouses because they were given security of title,” he said. “That is what happens when we trust our people.”

Governor Parkop said his administration is committed to transforming settlements into properly planned suburbs, but emphasized that this cannot be done through free handouts.

“We must stop the mindset that land should be given for free,” he said. “We must work, save, and pay for it — that is how we build pride, responsibility, and long-term security.”

He confirmed that funding has been allocated in the NCD budget to support resettlement and upgrading of settlements, including surveying, subdivision, road access, and basic services, to ensure relocated families can rebuild their lives properly.

50 years now as a nation, Governor Parkop called for a shift in thinking starting from the government down to the people.

“Our children are our legacy,” he said. “We must plan properly today so that they can live in a better tomorrow.

Secure land titles — earned, not given — are part of that future.” Governor Parkop concluded.

Papua New Guinea: ENDING LAND VIOLENCE VITAL

 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."

HUGE WIN for Customary Landowners! East New Britain, PNG

WGPNG 🇵🇬🏝️WGPNG 🇵🇬🏝️

✅ The National Court has CANCELLED a massive SABL (Special Agriculture & Business Lease) over 68,000 hectares of customary land in Pomio!

📜 The lease was issued in 2008 without proper landowner consent and failed to meet legal requirements. Now, the court says: “Give the land back to the people!”

🌴 The land will now revert to its customary owners, thanks to a court order by Justice Susan Purdon-Sully and the tireless fight by landowners & legal warriors 💪🏾

👥 Groups like Tavolo Community Conservation Association (TCCA) stood strong to protect the land from illegal logging & misuse 🌿

⚖️ The ruling exposes massive abuse in SABLs and sets a powerful legal precedent: customary land is not for sale!

🛑 12,500+ SABLs are still in question across PNG — the fight is not over.

📣 SHARE if you support land rights & accountability!

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hashtag#LandBack hashtag#JusticeForCustomaryLand hashtag#PNG hashtag#SABLCancelled hashtag#CustomaryLandRights ✊🏾

Papua New Guinea Constitution on Customary Land (1)

 Papua New Guinea is a unique country with a rich cultural heritage that is deeply intertwined with its land and natural resources. The Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea recognizes the importance of customary land and the protection of the customary rights of its indigenous inhabitants. In this article, we will explore how the constitution addresses these issues, article by article.

Article 37 of the Constitution of Papua New Guinea declares that all land in the country belongs to the people, who are the ultimate owners of all land within the country. This provision recognizes the inherent rights of the indigenous inhabitants to their customary land and ensures that they have the ultimate authority over its use and management. This is a crucial safeguard against the exploitation and alienation of indigenous land by external interests.

Article 38 of the Constitution further elaborates on the protection of customary land rights by stipulating that the government must take into account the customs and traditions of the indigenous people when making decisions that affect land ownership and use. This provision ensures that the government respects and upholds the customary land rights of its citizens and recognizes the importance of indigenous knowledge and practices in land management.

Article 39 of the Constitution emphasizes the importance of protecting the environment and natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations. This provision acknowledges the interconnectedness of the land, environment, and indigenous cultures and underscores the need to preserve these resources for the well-being of all Papua New Guineans.

Article 40 of the Constitution further reinforces the protection of customary land rights by establishing a Commission of Inquiry into Land Matters. This commission is tasked with investigating and advising the government on land issues, including disputes over land ownership and the impact of development projects on indigenous land. By providing a mechanism for resolving land conflicts and ensuring that indigenous voices are heard in decision-making processes, this provision helps to safeguard the rights of the indigenous inhabitants.

In conclusion, the Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea enshrines the rights of indigenous people to their customary land and recognizes the vital role that land plays in their culture, identity, and livelihoods. By upholding these principles, the constitution ensures that the indigenous inhabitants have a voice in the management and use of their land and provides a framework for the protection of their customary rights. It is essential for the government and society as a whole to respect and uphold these rights to preserve the unique cultural heritage of Papua New Guinea for generations to come.

Govt has no intention to take local land: Minister

By HELEN TARAWA, the National PNG
THE Government has no intention to take away customary land from its owners, Minister for Lands and Physical Planning Justin Tkatchenko says.
Speaking at the opening of the Southern Region Lands Summit workshop in Port Moresby yesterday, Tkatchenko, pictured, said: “We (the Government) are here to listen to you and hear how we can resolve some of the issues that we are now facing when it comes to customary land.

“This summit is just about customary land; it’s about getting it right.
“This is your forum today, this is about going through the subject matter and how government should improve on the laws and regulations of customary land in Papua New Guinea.”

Tkatchenko said the summit was an opportunity to strengthen Incorporated Lands Groups (ILGs) to make it more significant when it came to registering customary land.

He said the last Land summit was in 2005 and that was a broad spectrum of topics but this summit would focus on customary land issues in the four regions.

“We will have our national Lands Summit in May where all our ideas, suggestions and thoughts are put together as one to reform and to change customary land laws, regulations for the benefit of our landowners now and into the future,”

Tkatchenko said.

Kairuku-Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo said the workshop was an eye-opener for many of the landowners in the National Capital District and the district.
“People need to suggest to the Government how we can address their issues by way of accommodating their interest in the new legislations,” Isoaimo said. “We sympathise that a lot of them have land issues backdating to the last 20 to 30 years.

“But the procedures and processes need to be redefined in the Lands Department to allow people to have access to registering their portions of land.”

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