GOV’T GIVES BACK LAND TO MAKIRA ULAWA PROVINCE

The National Government through the Commissioner of Lands has transferred 97 Perpetual Estates to Makira Ulawa Province during a historic ceremony at Kirakira recently.

The transfer ceremony was a fulfillment of the Government’s commitment to assist Provincial Governments to decide on their own development pathway without going through stringent processes to access land.

The Lands Board on 12 December 2017 considered an application from the Makira/Ulawa Provincial government, requesting the Board to transfer Perpetual Estates in accordance with the Devolution Order No.3 of 1995.

Premier Julian Makaa and Commissioner of Lands Alan McNeil sign transfer documents

In exercise of the powers conferred by s.28, 29 and 30 of the Provincial Act 1981 (No.7 of 1981), the then Minister for Provincial Government, with the consent of the Makira/Ulawa Provincial Executive, and after consultation with Ministers having responsibility for matters specified made orders that all government parcel of lands, residential, or otherwise situated within Makira/Ulawa Province, and all buildings, houses, furniture, property and equipment on that land, shall be transferred to and vested with the Premier of Makira/Ulawa Province on behalf of the Province for the purpose of devolved functions and services under the Provincial Government Act.

The Lands Board agreed that this is an overdue case that should have been sorted out earlier. The Board agreed that the Perpetual Estate titles should be vested in the Premier for and on behalf of Makira/Ulawa Provincial Assembly.

It took some time and focus for the Ministry of Lands to prepare to implement the Land Board’s decision of some three and a half years ago. It emerged that the list of parcel numbers had changed over time, with some parcels having been subdivided repeatedly, and some parcels in the list had already been transferred in the past. A final and accurate list was determined just a couple of weeks ago.

The land being transferred now includes the whole of Kirakira Township, as well as lands at Ngorangora, Pamua, Waimasi, Faghani, Namuga, Ghupuna, Malaulalo, Alangaula, and Moli on Ulawa Island. In total there, are 97 Perpetual Estates being transferred.

“I trust the Premier and his Assembly will manage these lands well and in the best interests of the people of your Province, with an eye on the future development for generations to come. Please ensure that you carry out due diligence in assessing potential lessees, that they have the financial capacity and local support to carry out their development projects, otherwise these lands could continue to lie idle for years to come,” Prime Minister Sogavare said when he celebrated the Makira Ulawa 2^nd Appointed Day recently.

“Please continue to consult with the National Government to help identify the best ways to utilise these lands in the best interests of your people,” Sogavare added.

The Prime Minister thanked the Commissioner of Lands for his hard work and commitment to ensure that this transfer happened.

-GCU Press