By GEORGINA MICHAEL
Member for Samarai-Murua Open, Hon. Isi Henry Leonard, has called on the government to return three portions of land on Woodlark Island after six years of waiting, saying the delay is preventing key economic projects from moving forward.
Speaking during question time in Parliament today, Leonard directed his question to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands, Hon. John Rosso, regarding Portions 138, 139 and 140, which were leased to a foreign-owned company for agricultural development.
“Up to date, there are no agricultural activities on the ground,” Leonard said.
The MP explained that in 2020, he engaged officers from the Department of Lands to inspect the leased portions. The inspection report found significant road construction but no evidence of agricultural development. The inspectors subsequently recommended that the leases be forfeited and the land returned to the State and traditional landowners.
“Today, we acknowledge the National Government for giving us the opportunity to work on ecotourism and carbon trading initiatives that can benefit the people of Woodlark Island,” Leonard said.
“It has been almost six years since the recommendation was made. When can we expect its implementation so we can move forward with economic development programs, including ecotourism, mining and carbon trading projects for the benefit of our district?” he asked.
Responding to the question, Rosso confirmed that the land is held under alienated agricultural leases by a foreign-owned company and acknowledged that the land had not been developed for its intended purpose.
“The land in question was leased for agricultural development and was not developed. I summoned the company to explain why it had failed to develop the land. Their explanation was not satisfactory, and I subsequently forfeited the leases,” Rosso said.
However, the forfeiture decision was challenged in court.
“The company took the Department of Lands and myself to court over the forfeiture. The court ruled that the process I followed at that time was not proper, but it did not close the matter,” he explained.
Rosso said the Department has since initiated a fresh forfeiture process to recover the land.
“I would like to assure the Member and the people of Woodlark Island that we will continue working closely with him to resolve this issue so that the land can ultimately be returned to the DDA to support its development agenda,” he told Parliament.