JSB endorses Joint Consultation Report and Melanesian Framework

#Bougainville #News  

JSB endorses Joint Consultation Report and Melanesian Framework, Agrees to table Referendum Results in Parliament on August 27

The Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) today endorsed the jointly developed Melanesian Framework and the Joint Consultation Report (JCR). 

The meeting, held today at the Melanesian Haus in Port Moresby, was co-chaired by Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP, and Autonomous Bougainville Government President His Excellency Ishmael Toroama, MHR. 

The Melanesian Framework and the Joint Consultation Report were jointly developed by the ABG and the National Government in accordance with the resolutions of the Melanesian Agreement signed by both governments on 26 June 2025. 

Together, the two documents provide an agreed pathway for progressing Bougainville's political future through a peaceful, stable and Melanesian-led process that is consistent with the Constitution of Papua New Guinea while continuing an enduring relationship between Papua New Guinea and an independent Bougainville. 

Addressing the Joint Supervisory Body, President Toroama described the Joint Consultation Report as the culmination of years of engagement between the two governments.

"The Joint Consultation Report is a record of facts and an account of everything we have consulted over since the 2019 Referendum, culminating in the defining Melanesian Agreement. They capture jointly-agreed resolutions of both our governments." 

In its resolutions, the JSB endorsed the Melanesian Framework as the agreed pathway jointly designed by the two governments to give effect to an affirmative decision by the National Parliament should it endorse the Bougainville Referendum Results. 

The meeting resolved that the Bougainville Referendum Results, together with the Joint Consultation Report and the Melanesian Framework, will be tabled in the National Parliament on 27 August 2026 for Parliament's consideration. The Prime Minister and the President will jointly determine the date on which Parliament will consider the question arising from the Referendum Results. 

The JSB also directed the Independent Facilitator and the Joint Technical Team, supported by the Joint Ministers, to conduct awareness for Members of the National Parliament on both the Joint Consultation Report and the Melanesian Framework before the matter is debated. 

President Toroama said the two documents now provide the agreed roadmap for the next phase of the peace process.

"Combined with the Melanesian Framework, this is the institutional pathway to Bougainville's self-government and ultimately, to full sovereignty. This pathway reflects Bougainville's Final Position on our timeline for self-government and for political independence," he said.  

The Joint Consultation Report, Melanesian Framework and the Referendum Results will be tabled in the National Parliament on August 27, 2026 by the National Minister for Bougainville Affairs. 

https://abg.gov.pg/index.php?/news/read/jsb-endorses-joint-consultation-report-and-melanesian-framework-agrees-to-table-referendum-results-in-parliament-on-august-27

PNG Prime Minister Hon James Marape and ANG President Ishmael Toroama Signed Joint Committee Report

#pngsun #news #abg #referendum #parliament #consultations Papua New Guinea has moved a step closer to Parliament deciding the political future of Bougainville after Prime Minister James Marape and Autonomous Bougainville Government President Ishmael Toroama concluded the final constitutional consultations on the 2019 Bougainville Referendum yesterday.

The Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting at Melanesian Haus this morning endorsed the Joint Consultation Report (JCR) and the Melanesian Framework, clearing the way for the referendum results to be formally tabled in the National Parliament on August 27, 2026, where Members of Parliament will debate and make a decision in accordance with the Constitution.

The milestone follows years of political debate and public commentary over the constitutional pathway after Bougainvilleans voted overwhelmingly for independence in the 2019 referendum. 

While about 97.7 per cent of voters supported independence, the Constitution requires consultations between the National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government before the National Parliament makes the final decision. 

Prime Minister Marape and President Toroama signed the JSB resolutions, witnessed by Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makiba and ABG Vice President and Attorney-General Ezekiel Masatt.

Prime Minister Marape said the successful conclusion of the consultation process marked an important milestone in Papua New Guinea’s nation-building journey and fulfilled the constitutional requirements under the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

“This is a process that began with the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001. It became part of our Constitution. The Constitution required that a referendum be held, consultations take place, and that the National Parliament make the final decision,” he said.

PM Marape said the Government had faithfully discharged all of its constitutional responsibilities under the Peace Agreement and the Constitution, with the JSB recognising that the consultation requirements under Section 342 had now been completed.

He said Parliament must now be allowed to exercise its constitutional responsibility independently.

“The National Government and the National Parliament are two separate institutions. Government has completed its constitutional responsibilities. Parliament must now undertake its constitutional responsibility.

“Every Member of Parliament will have the opportunity to speak. Every Member will then stand and cast his or her vote according to conscience, guided by the Constitution and the interests of our country.”

The Prime Minister urged Papua New Guineans and Bougainvilleans to respect the parliamentary process and continue engaging peacefully.

“This is a difficult relationship, but it is a family relationship. Dialogue must continue.”

Mr Marape said Parliament’s decision would not mark the end of the relationship between Papua New Guinea and Bougainville, with both governments committed to continuing discussions on the way forward after Parliament has spoken.

He welcomed the endorsement of the Melanesian Framework, describing it as a jointly developed pathway to guide future engagement, maintain peace and reconciliation, and ensure the orderly implementation of whatever decision Parliament reaches.

The Prime Minister also commended President Toroama, Vice President Masatt, the Joint Technical Team, ministers and officials from both governments, as well as previous leaders and international partners, for their commitment to maintaining peace throughout the consultation process.

Apart from the referendum process, the JSB also agreed to strengthen Bougainville’s fiscal autonomy by progressing the transfer of 100 per cent of revenue generated within Bougainville from fisheries, mining, forestry, land and other relevant taxes by December 31, 2026, while accelerating the transfer of outstanding constitutional powers to the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

PM Marape said the measures demonstrated the National Government’s commitment to fully implementing the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

He also noted that Parliament would consider the referendum results on August 27, immediately after Papua New Guinea’s National Day of Prayer and Repentance on August 26, and called on churches and citizens to pray for wisdom, unity and peace.

PM Marape said Papua New Guinea had demonstrated that even the most difficult national questions could be resolved peacefully through constitutional democracy.

“For twenty-five years we have honoured the Bougainville Peace Agreement through dialogue, patience and constitutional process. Whatever the outcome, let history record that Papua New Guinea and Bougainville chose peace over conflict, dialogue over violence, and constitutional democracy over division.”

OUTSTANDING PAPUA NEW GUINEAN ACADEMIC: Dr. Samuel Joseph Kopamu

A Man of Humility and Wisdom

Dr. Samuel Joseph Kopamu comes from Mukurisa Village, Wabag, in Enga Province. He is one of PNG’s brightest academic minds. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby. He then earned a Master of Science from Monash University, Melbourne, in 1991, and a PhD in Pure Mathematics from the University of St Andrews, United Kingdom, in 1996.

For over 23 years he has served PNG’s higher education sector as a lecturer and senior lecturer at the country’s three largest universities: UPNG, PNG University of Technology, and University of Goroka.

In 2012 he relocated to Goroka with his family. A year later he was appointed Head of the Mathematics Division at UOG, serving until 2015 when he became Acting Pro Vice Chancellor. Even while in senior administration, he continues to teach pure mathematics and supervise postgraduate research students.

Dr. Kopamu has represented PNG on the world stage. He attended the International Congress of Mathematicians in South Korea in 2014, one of the largest gatherings of mathematicians globally. As President of the PNG Mathematical Society, he led the push for PNGMS to gain full membership in the International Mathematical Union - a major milestone for PNG science. He also helped organize an international mathematics conference at UOG in 2014.

Beyond teaching, Dr. Kopamu is deeply committed to building a better Papua New Guinea. He believes true development comes through education and empowering Papua New Guineans with knowledge and wisdom.

Source: Educational News

MOU TO STRENGTHEN CULTURE, ARTS & REGIONAL COOPERATION

PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (26 May 2026): A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently formalized between the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat and the Papua New Guinea National Cultural Commission aims to strengthen culture, arts and regional cooperation.

While signing the MOU, PNG Minister for Arts, Culture & Tourism, Honourable Belden Namah, highlighted the importance of regional cultural cooperation.

He said that while the MOU formalizes cooperation in culture, arts and regional partnership amongst Melanesian countries, it demonstrated a shared commitment to collaboration in promoting and preserving the Melanesian culture, heritage and the Melanesian way.

The collaboration he said, will help build stronger cultural connections and cooperation moving forward.

Acting Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Ilan Kiloe expressed his appreciation to Hon. Namah and the Government and people of Papua New Guinea for their commitment to advancing Melanesian culture.

He said the MSG was excited and proud to sign the MOU as it reflected a shared commitment to promote, protect and advance the living cultures of our people across Melanesia.

ADG Kiloe welcomed the partnership stating it will strengthen ties between Members through culture and shared values, underscoring the significance of the Melanesian way of life.

#msgnews

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Why Highlands Play Politics Better Than Coastal Leaders

I’m a coastal man, and this picture says everything about politics in Papua New Guinea. Politics is not about friendship or hate. It’s a game. A serious one. And the truth is, some people understand that game better than others.

Highlands leaders know how to play politics better than most coastal leaders. That’s why they stay in power. While coastal leaders are still thinking with emotions, others are making smart moves behind the scenes. In politics, thinking emotionally is the fastest way to lose.

Many people believe that James Marape and Peter O'Neill are enemies. That’s what the public sees. But politics is deeper than that. Leaders can fight today and work together tomorrow. There are no permanent enemies and no permanent friends. Nothing is personal. It’s just politics.

Coastal leaders often get played because they trust too easily or take things personally. Meanwhile, others are calculating every move. They build alliances, break them, and rebuild again when it suits them. That’s how the game is won.

As Rainbo Paita said, Parliament is more complicated than physics. And he’s right. Politics is not simple. It’s a game for strong minds, not soft hearts.

So here’s the hard truth, if you don’t understand the game, don’t enter politics. Because while you’re trying to be honest and emotional, someone else is already ten steps ahead, playing to win.

By The Hardest Pills to Swallow

This is not meant to attack any individual or group, but to share a perspective on how politics works.

The most intelligent highlands politicians are from Simbu when it comes to the real art of the game, like Sir iambake Okuk, Komdom Agaundo, Kerenga Kua James Nomane etc. The upper highlanders are dominant in the power play only with the use of money and nepotism, they are only good in using money and maintaining their wantoks system to find their way out,  but they don't have the brain to play the game on a neutral ground. Simbus don't play money or use their wantoks systems in politics. If a Simbu politician plays money and use wantoks system or if the game is played by all on a neutral ground, Simbu's will be victorious. I'm a coastal man and this is my simple view.

TWO LAWS FOR PNG? WHY MARAPE’S ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ CLAIM ABOUT CJ SALIKA SMELLS LIKE POLITICAL SMOKE, NOT JUSTICE

Commentary by: Alois Yoba Bai.

Fellow Papua New Guineans,

I am writing this with a heavy heart and a confused mind. Our Prime Minister, James Marape, has reportedly described recent referrals concerning our Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika, as "unprecedented." This label makes us stop and ask: Unprecedented because it threatens the powerful? Or unprecedented because it actually follows the rule of law?

We have to connect the dots here, and when we do, the picture is disturbing. It forces us to ask a question that should never need asking in a democracy: Do we have two sets of laws in this country—one for ordinary citizens and another, unbreakable one for our politicians and top bureaucrats?

The "Unprecedented" Claim vs. The Constitution

Firstly, we need to understand what the Constitution actually says. It is the Supreme Law. Period. Section 11 clearly states that the Constitution is the Supreme Law, and any law inconsistent with it is, to the extent of the inconsistency, invalid .

The Constitution also establishes an independent National Judicial System, with the Chief Justice at its helm, to guard this law . The Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice, has the final say on interpreting our laws . So, if there are referrals or questions raised about the conduct of any public officer—including the Chief Justice—the proper legal channels exist. So why is the process "unprecedented"? It is only unprecedented if we are used to seeing the powerful simply walk away.

If the Prime Minister believes the process is wrong, the proper place to argue that is in the very courts he is criticizing. This talk of "unprecedented" actions feels like an attempt to undermine the very institutions meant to keep us all equal.

The Paraka Shadow: A Tale of "Selective" Memory

The Prime Minister’s current stance is incredibly hard to swallow when you look at his history, specifically the infamous Paraka scandal. This is where your question about "two sets of laws" becomes terrifyingly real.

Just recently, Hon. Kerenga Kua gave evidence in court regarding the Paraka case. He testified about the immense pressure applied to facilitate illegal payments of K41 million to Paraka Lawyers—money that did not follow due process . He spoke about the "secrecy surrounding the transactions" .

What was Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika’s reaction to this testimony? According to reports, His Honour questioned Kua on why he and other senior ministers did not have the courage to put in a formal complaint to police . The Chief Justice was essentially asking: Why were the politicians protected while the system was looted?

And what was Prime Minister Marape's response to this resurfacing of the Paraka matter? He didn't address the core issue of the missing K162 million . Instead, he launched a fierce attack on the media for reporting it. On his official government website, he accused the Post-Courier of "fake news" and "slander," threatening them with legal action for merely reporting what was said in his own colleague's court testimony .

He stated, "I have never approved any of the payments made under the Paraka claims process. In fact, I was the last Finance Minister who put a stop to the series of claims and payments" .

This is a very contradictory position, Mr. Prime Minister. On one hand, you attack the media for reporting on a scandal that involves your time as Finance Minister. On the other hand, you describe actions involving the highest judicial officer as "unprecedented."

You cannot have it both ways. You cannot demand the media be silent on your past while questioning the processes that might hold the current judiciary accountable.

Are Our Leaders Immune?

This brings us back to the citizen's fear: Are our top leaders immune to the Constitution?

When a Prime Minister attacks the media for reporting court proceedings , and then casts aspersions on processes involving the Chief Justice, it creates a chilling effect. It suggests that the rules are for the little people—the ones who go to jail for stealing a few hundred Kina.

But for the political elite, even a scandal involving K162 million (the Paraka funds) is just a matter of "media narrative" and "fake news" . We saw the Opposition recently note that the government's reports of success are "misleading" and that wealth distribution remains "highly unequal" . That inequality isn't just economic; it seems to be a legal inequality, too.

We cannot allow our leaders to pick and choose which parts of the Constitution apply to them.

The Bottom Line

Mr. Marape, you still have the outstanding issue of the Paraka saga hanging over your head, a saga that Chief Justice Salika is actively seeking truth and courage on . Your current media statements attacking the process and the messengers are, as you say, "very contradictory."

If the referrals regarding the Chief Justice are "unp

Chief Justice says, some of our laws are not good for PNG

by TODAGIA KELOLA

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Chief Justice says, some of our laws are not good for PNG 

============================

“Parliament must make good laws for the good and benefit of all, not just a few. Laws passed should not be for personal interests of a few.

Laws passed must and should be for collective safety of people, easy to understand and enforce and be

applicable to everyone. Some of our laws, dare I say, are not good laws for the country.

“Laws like the District Development Authority Act, there is already the three tiers of government like the National Government, Provincial Government and Local Level Government.

Now we have the District Development Authority, who are the members, the chairman. For whose benefit was

that law enacted?

“Then the Kumuls Holding Act, all SOEs have their Boards but this law creates another Board, for whose benefit was that law enacted?

“The PNG Sustainable Law or Contract, that has now locked up landowners monies in Singapore – whose benefit was that law and contract for?”

As for due processes Sir Gibbs gave an example of a Police complaint that he personally made.

“Start with my own experience. I filed a complaint against a then government minister to the Commissioner

of Police to have the minister charged for certain alleged offences.

My letter was confidential to a head of State agency. That letter got intercepted and posted on social media platforms and ultimately this complaint of mine never got attended to. Some four years later, it remains

unattended. I have since given up in our systems,” he said.

Police Commissioner David Manning was also at the forum and delivered a presentation before the Chief Justice. Sir Gibbs said: “The courts recognise that the weak implementation and reform of laws impacts on the effectiveness of due process, the effective administration of justice and the rule of law in the country.

All of which pose negatively on PNG’s

total of 22 people were officially granted citizenship today including West Papuans

A total of 22 people were officially granted citizenship today by the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (ICSA).These people were part of the 59 successful applicants applied for naturalization as PNG citizens.

According to the PNGICSA, 5 people were seeking dual citizenship with Papua New Guinea, 26 had applied to be naturalized citizens of PNG, and 28 were PNG citizens seeking dual citizenship approval.

Of the 22 recipients today, 8 were West Papuans. In fact, from the overall 26 naturalised citizens, 25 people were from West Papua origin.

PNG currently has dual citizenship arrangements with the following countries:

▪︎Australia

▪︎Fiji

▪︎Germany

▪︎New Zealand

▪︎Samoa

▪︎United Kingdom

▪︎United States of America, and

▪︎Vanuatu.

PNGICSA stated that Authority is working on amendments to the Citizenship Act, to include more countries to its prescribed list of countries for dual citizenship.

LAND IS OUR IDENTITY - PROTECTING OUR FUTURE

NATIONAL BULLETIN

 

BY KEITH IDUHU, MP FEB 11, 2026

I was honoured to address attendees of the Land Commission of Papua New Guinea's Client Outreach Program at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby yesterday.

As Chair of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Customary Land Reform, my message was clear: land in PNG is not just a commodity; it is our culture, our spirituality, and our very identity.

With approximately 97 per cent of our land held under customary tenure, we must address customary land reform. When system fails, we see the consequences everyday: dispute, eroded trust, and violent conflicts.

KEY POINTS FROM MY ADDRESS:

• Land is an Economic Asset: We must unlock the potential of our land to drive real socio-economic progress. 

• Human Rights First: Reforms must advance the rights of our people and provide tangible benefits for all citizens. 

• Permanent Link: Land governance and customary reforms are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other. 

• Transparency and Inclusion: Fair systems are the bedrock of human dignity and sustainable development. 

Our goal is simple: to ensure our land remains protected by the law while being unlocked for development that benefits the many, not just the few.

#LandReform #CustomaryLandRights #LeadershipInAction #PNGDevelopment #IdentityAndCulture

MOTUANS – A FORGOTTEN PEOPLE

Hon. Keith Iduhu’s call for a decentralised, district-based service town model in Central Province is not just an administrative proposal—it is a cry for justice for the Motuan people. For decades, the designation of Port Moresby as the National Capital District has created a paradox: while the city has grown into the political and economic hub of Papua New Guinea, the very people whose land it sits upon have been steadily marginalized. The Motuans, once central to the cultural and social fabric of the region, now find themselves sidelined in their own homeland.

The growth of Port Moresby has brought infrastructure, commerce, and national prominence, but it has also eroded the Motuan way of life. Villages have been swallowed by urban expansion, traditional land rights have been diminished, and cultural institutions have weakened under the weight of modernization. Central Province itself has been overshadowed, with resources and opportunities concentrated in the capital while surrounding districts remain underdeveloped. This imbalance is not merely economic—it strikes at the heart of sovereignty. A nation cannot claim to be truly sovereign if it fails to protect the dignity and heritage of its first peoples.

Decentralisation offers a pathway to restore balance and dignity. By establishing service towns across Central Province, development can be distributed more equitably, reducing dependency on Port Moresby and empowering local communities to thrive. Such a model would allow Motuan villages and traditions to be revitalised rather than subsumed under the pressures of urbanisation. It would also strengthen political representation, ensuring that governance is closer to the people and that Motuans, along with other Central Province communities, have a stronger voice in shaping their future.

This is not simply about infrastructure—it is about identity, justice, and sovereignty. Protecting the Motuan people means protecting the soul of Papua New Guinea. Decentralisation is both a practical necessity and a moral obligation. Practically, it will ease the burden on Port Moresby, create new economic hubs, and foster balanced growth across the province. Morally, it will restore dignity to the Motuan people, whose cultural survival is inseparable from the nation’s integrity. Sovereignty is not only about political independence—it is about ensuring that no community is sacrificed for the convenience of others.

The Motuans must no longer be forgotten. Their rights, heritage, and future must be safeguarded through deliberate policy and structural reform. Hon. Iduhu’s call is therefore a timely reminder that true nationhood requires justice for all its peoples irrespective..

#HiriKoiari #CentralProvince #Decentralisation #KeithIduhu #ProvincialDevelopment

Photo Credit: Umi Blo Ples

The Deputy Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and Hiri- Koiari MP, Keith Iduhu on Connect PNG program,

 By Lorraine Francis |PNG SUN|

#pngsun #news #national The Deputy Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and Hiri- Koiari MP, Keith Iduhu, has raised serious concerns over the legality of the Connect PNG program, highlighting that it has been operating for five years without the legally required Development Trust Fund.

Speaking at a Parliamentary inquiry held at the State Function Room this morning, the Deputy Chair pressed Departmental Heads and Senior officials of the Department of Works and Highways to clarify the legislative basis for the program, citing the Road Fund Management Act 2020 and the Connect PNG Implementation and Funding Arrangements Act 2021.

He emphasized that all Connect PNG funds must flow through a single, dedicated trust account, overseen by the PNG Road Fund Board, rather than being administered at the discretion of the Department of Works and Highways.

“Parliament never intended for Connect PNG funds to be routed through multiple or discretionary accounts,” the Deputy Chair noted.

In response, Secretary for Works and Highways, Gibson Holemba, confirmed that the Connect PNG Development Trust Fund has not been established.

“Since 2020, Connect PNG has been funded through budgetary allocations administered directly by the Department of Works, not through a trust account,” he said.

Secretary Holemba provided financial figures showing K7.4 billion in procured works, K5.9 billion in running contract value, and only K1.8–1.9 billion paid, leaving K4–4.8 billion outstanding.

“While spending complied with Appropriation Acts, the policy intent of the trust fund was project security, ensuring money is available to honour contracts,” Mr Holemba explained to the PAC.

The Secretary also suggested a governance restructuring, proposing separate boards for maintenance funds and capital Connect PNG funds.

However, the Committee rejected this proposal.

“No amendment has been passed by Parliament.

The existing law remains binding,” said Mr Iduhu.

The Committee said that the non- establishment of the Development Trust Fund is the single most critical failure of the program.

It has directed the Board and Treasury to establish the trust fund within 30 days and submit a formal compliance report to Parliament in March.

While reaffirming strong support for the Connect PNG program, the Committee stressed that compliance with the law is non- negotiable, particularly given the scale of public funds involved.

Committee Members also expressed concern over delayed payments to contractors, warning that continued non- payment could negatively affect agriculture, tourism, rural services, and the program’s broader development goals.

Kikori MP Eoe said PNG continues to lose value by exporting oil, gas and other resources

Papua New Guinea must urgently move away from exporting raw resources and focus on downstream processing if it is serious about growing its economy and creating jobs, Minister for Provincial Affairs and Local Level Government, Soroi Eoe says.

Speaking yesterday during a press conference held in Port Moresby, in the presence of the Minister for Petroleum Jimmy Maladina, Kikori MP Eoe said PNG continues to lose value by exporting oil, gas and other resources only to import them back as expensive finished products.

“We export oil and gas to countries like Singapore and then buy them back at a high cost as diesel, petroleum and aviation fuel,” he said. “Singapore is an import-substitute economy. They add value. We do not.”

Minister Eoe said this model has left PNG dependent on imports while other countries benefit from PNG’s natural wealth.

“For a long time, governments have allowed this to continue,” he said. “We export our resources and watch other nations build their economies.”

The Minister said downstream processing must be prioritised to unlock economic opportunities, create employment and support industrial growth.

“That is where jobs are created. That is where real economic impact is felt by our people,” he said.

Minister Eoe said the idea was first advanced in 2017, when he was serving as Minister for Community Development, Youth and Religion. He later presented the concept internationally during APEC 2018, where it attracted strong interest from global leaders and investors.

He said the proposal was discussed at high levels during APEC, with representatives from major economies, including the United States and China, engaging in follow-up discussions.

The concept later evolved into the Integrated Specialised Services (ISS) initiative, which Minister Eoe described as a long-term national project that has continued to progress.

He confirmed that planning is now progressing for a New Special Economic Zone, supported by power generation and essential infrastructure. 

“Once operational, the zone is expected to attract direct foreign investment and support local processing of raw materials.

“As soon as the infrastructure is in place, investors can build processing facilities,” he said. “That is how we turn raw materials into marketable products.”

Minister Eoe said gas development, particularly for domestic power supply, will play a critical role in supporting industrial growth and national energy security.

He also raised concerns about PNG’s continued reliance on imported food, using rice as an example.

“We import rice when we have the land to grow our own,” he said. “This dependence must change.”

Minister Eoe said the responsibility lies with the current generation of leaders to make bold decisions that will benefit future generations.

“We cannot continue exporting our wealth and standing by,” he said. “If we make the right decisions now, Papua New Guinea can build a stronger and more independent economy.”

##Source@ SUN PNG 

By Theodro Psalmson| PNG SUN|

#pngsun #news

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.