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.

Bill to separate lease and custom land ownership processes

By Terence Malapa Oct 21, 2025 Updated 

Parliament will debate the Custom Land Management (Amendment) Act No. of 2025, in its extraordinary session this week.

This amendment aims to solve long-standing problems in how custom land is managed in Vanuatu.

The Minister of Justice and Community Services will present the Bill that makes changes to the Custom Land Management Act No. 33 of 2013 to fix confusion caused by overlapping laws and unclear roles between different government departments.

One of the main goals is to make land processes simpler and clearer. At the moment, several land laws are mixed together, such as the issuing of negotiator’s certificates, identifying custom landowners, and creating land leases. This has caused delays and confusion.

Under the new amendment, the Custom Land Management Office (CLMO) will no longer be responsible for identifying custom landowners when someone applies for a negotiator’s certificate.

Instead, the CLMO’s role will be limited to helping with the identification of landowners and use rights before the application goes to the Department of Lands.

The Bill also aims to return power to traditional systems when it comes to solving land disputes.

In 2013, changes to the Constitution recognized nakamals and Area Land Tribunals as the final authorities on custom land ownership.

However, the original law required these groups to make decisions only if all members agreed, which slowed things down.

The bill removes this rule and allows decisions to be made according to local custom, speeding up the process and supporting traditional ways of decision-making.

Another important change is the creation of a National Registry for customary land.

Currently information about custom landowners is kept under a different law that makes it hard to update.

The new registry will keep up-to-date records of land interests, disputes, and landowner representatives. It will be managed by a National Coordinator and help those applying for negotiator’s certificates by providing reliable information.

The Bill also removes the role of community land officers. These officers were introduced in 2013 without proper planning.

They were usually full-time public servants like teachers or police officers

expected to do land duties for free. This caused problems and risks, so the government has decided to delete all parts of the law that mention them.

The amendment also includes other changes such as updating legal definitions, removing sections of the old law, and adding new rules for how decisions are made, how disputes are resolved, and how landowner representatives are chosen or changed.

One of the most important changes is a clear process for appointing and replacing landowner representatives, with meetings organized and recorded by custom land officers.

This amendment is an important step toward making Vanuatu’s land laws better match traditional systems. By supporting custom leadership, creating a national land record, and removing unrealistic legal rules, the Bill brings land management back in line with Vanuatu’s culture and practical needs.

The new law will take effect once it is published in the official Gazette. Government departments and custom authorities are now preparing to carry it out.

These changes are expected to make land matters clearer, reduce conflicts, and build more public trust in how land is managed in Vanuatu.

terence@dailypost.vu