Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) has finally received a physical title over a portion of land for which it has been fending off ownership claims over the last two decades.
Lands Minister, John Rosso, presented the title to portion 2158 at 9-mile to the Deputy NSL Chairperson, Dame Meg Taylor, marking an end to one chapter over the 20-year long dispute.
The presentation follows a court decision in 2020 which, basically, recognized the superfund as the legitimate owner of the land portion.
Minister Rosso said this will pave way for the possibility of new housing for NSL members if the fund decides to go that route. But he has also, called for NSL to work in partnership with NCDC to relocate settlers currently living on the land.
“We have had 10 meetings with NSL to make sure all stakeholders are involved to get a win-win for everyone. The title should be restored to NSL and we also have to deal with the people residing on that land.
“So I’ve encouraged NSL to talk to NCDC and to find a win-win for those particular parcels of land.”
NSL has also had to battle against the inefficiencies within the lands department over the last 20 years which prevented the official recognition of the superfund as legal landowners.
Even after the court ruled in their favor, it took another year before the matter was finally actioned by the Lands Minister.
“We’ve worked very closely with the Lands Department, the NCDC and the Member of Parliament for Moresby North East to look at how you deal with people who have settled on this land.” said Deputy Chairperson, Dame Meg Taylor.
“They are citizens of this country and NSL is very sensitive to this and there has been a lot of consultation.”
Nambawan Super Limited legally owns three other land portions – 2156, 2157, 2159. The fund says any future development on the land will be discussed in detail.
However, there’s the possibility of the fund, with the ability it now has, to infuse the current housing market with more affordable housing for its members and others who may be interested.
It is something they will decide on later.
This is one of three important title handovers this year.
The first was for the Development of the Tuhava township where Roku landowners received a land title over the Tuhava township. Newcrest Mining also received a land title for the state land it owns which will be used for the development of a new township and the resettlement of local people displaced by the mine.
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