By GINNAH MINI
THE Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) has presented a K50 000 cheque to the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Underlying Law Centre at UPNG.
Speaking at the signing of the MoU at UPNG School of Law, CLRC secretary, Dr. Mange Matui said that customary law is an important part of Papua New Guinea (PNG) laws.
Dr. Matui stated that an important mandate was given to CLRDC under Section 25 and Schedule 2.1 of the Constitution to monitor the development of the Underlying Law.
He added that CLRC has completed recording the customs of the people of Central and Jiwaka Province and they will populate that into a database to be accessible by the Judiciary.
“We are now looking at establishing a centre here where those recorded customs can be brought here, presented here at the University of Papua New Guinea where it can be discussed, debated, and most importantly, the principles in those customs can be obtained and be utilized by our people and the future generation to come,” Dr. Matui said.
UPNG Vice Chancellor (VC), Professor Ian Findlay said that it is very important for a nation whether it is 500 years or 5000 years old to review and constantly refresh how it should be governed.
Professor Findlay said that as the world is rapidly evolving, PNG cannot be stuck in a constitution from 50 years ago.
“The entire population of Papua New Guinea is looking at us as custodians of our laws to review our laws and make them better,” Professor Findlay said.
The VC said that as PNG is a democratic country, citizens have a say in how the country’s legal system should be.
“So, an investment in our school of law is an investment in our future,” he said.
“An investment to make the best politicians, the best lawyers, the best chief justices, the best legal system for our children and our grandchildren.”
The Underlying Law Centre will be established at UPNG next to the School of Law.