LAND IS THE UMBILICAL CORD
By CHRISTOPHER PAPIALI I read with interest the profound views expressed by Dr. Charles Yala of National Research Institute. Land use, mobilization and converting land into viable economic corridors is a way forward for this country. Land to most respects is our umbilical cord, the very nerve centre that connects to everything from culture, family, clan and business and therefore it transcends at the highest peak of our societal living. PNG unlike the rest of the world continue to face daunting challenges relating to land. Our efforts to maximizing the land use potential was overwhelmingly discussed almost two decades ago when the previous government regimes discussed ways to grab hold of all customary/traditional land and transferring to the state. I am led to the efforts made by Loani Henao Lawyers some years ago, when this law firm was engaged by the government at that time to draft the policy surrounding the Land Mobilization Act and for obvious reasons there was widespread opposit