PM O'Neill : No more land compensation for Landowners

It has become a trend everywhere throughout the country that when government institutions are built on certain land, landowners tend to push in their demands worth millions of kina claiming land compensation.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill stressed in parliament today that from now on his government will not entertain any landowners demands especially when LOs wants to claim compensation on a piece of land where a school or Health Center is built on.

O'Neill also told members on the floor of parliament to make it their responsibility to address their land compensation issues at their level first with relevant government agencies before bringing it up to the national level.

He made these remarks after answering question from Morobe Governor Kelly Naru regarding Butibum & Kamkumu people who are the original land owners of the land which Lae City currently sits on, and are wanting compensation after four decades of not benefiting from their land.

Mr O'Neill assured the Morobe Governor and the two landowner groups that he will direct the Lands Minister and his department officials to act promptly in addressing this issue once and for all.