THE Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, today declared that 2025 will be the year that Konebada Petroleum Park Authority (KPPA), under the Chairmanship of Mr. Martin Kombri will be proactive in recovering the parcel of land known as the “Konebada Petroleum Park Zone” as declared and defined in the National Gazette No. G76 published on February 7, 2017, by the Minister for Lands and Physical Planning.
Minister Maru, who is the Minister responsible for KPPA elaborated: “Pursuant to Sections 5 and 12 of the Land Act 1996 (as amended), the Declaration by the Minister for Lands and Physical Planning on the Konebada Petroleum Park Zone effectively vests ownership of that parcel of land totaling approximately 23,000 hectares on KPPA pursuant to Section 3 (4) of the Konebada Petroleum Park Act 2008 (as amended).“
In this regard, Minister Maru explained that: “Any rights and interests that existed on the Konebada Petroleum Park Zone land prior the Declaration on February 7, 2017, have been nullified and have ceased to exist on February 7, 2017, the date of the National Gazette No. G76. The owner of the land located in Konebada Petroleum Park Zone has been KPPA since that Declaration.”
“Any acquisition of parcels of land within the Konebada Petroleum Park Zone by whatever means after the Declaration on February 7, 20 I 7, will be null and void if the acquisition was not done with KPPA pursuant to Section 38 of the Konebada Petroleum Park Act 2008 (as amended). That is, no land located in the Konebada Petroleum Park Zone may be acquired, disposed of or otherwise dealt with unless KPPA is a party to the dealing or the dealing was and is approved by KPPA.”
“Any contrary dealings in the land or interest in the land located in the Konebada Petroleum Park Zone is null and void and of no effect,” added Minister Maru.
The new Boad of KPPA chaired by Mr. Kombri was tasked to ascertain the status of the land located within the Konebada Petroleum Park Zone and further to recover any parcels or pieces of land that have been acquired by any person or company contrary to Section 38 of the Konebada Petroleum Park Act 2008 (as amended).“
“I now convey my word of appreciation to the KPPA Board for implementing the task by engaging a reputable surveying company and the work had commenced. When the status of the land located in Konebada Petroleum Park Zone is ascertained, then necessary actions will be embarked on to recover what had been lost through illegal deals and for those parcels of land not affected in any manner will be utilized for the purposes which that land have been acquired for,” said Minister Maru.
