Tutuvatu Forum

surfing · Joined: 15 Jan 2008 Posts: 36

From the Solomon star it was revealed that it was LOs from Isunaoru who have lay claim on the airfield land which resulted in the closure of the Marau airfield. This as we know has resulted in transport difficulties for a whole lot people and business in the area.

It is a pity to see the airport land lying fallow in waste while people in the area suffered from transportation. Where is the wisdom from all these? Some one somewhere must take the lead in fixing these problems to ensure our society continue to function well.

Marau is a place full of potential for Guale in terms of tourism development. Therefore such outrageous claims should be checked and quickly dealt with. Let the Marau live in peace in their bit of land and islands including the airport area. We from mainland Guale have all the island to ourselves, let us look at ways to develop these lands than stalling the little development and infrastructure which is already there.

esia · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:23 am Post subject:

This is just one of the many, many reasons why rural development is not progressing as much as the population growth rate.

Andy · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 302 Location: Qld, Australia

Wantoks,

I read it too that our Are-Are wantoks are/were angry at the closure of the airfield as a result of the dispute. According to the news I read they are considering stopping shipping services to other areas, presumbly around Malau and W/C. Their legal spoken seemed to blow the issue at off and making it such a big issue.

I see no reason why our Are-Are wantoks to be "angry" about the dispute. If any thing they have all the right to be "frustrated" and "disappointed" about the closure because it affects them. But not to be "angry". It has nothing to do with them. Are we suggesting that my fellow wantoks at Waimasi have to be "angry" when there is a dispute between two land-owning groups on Makira?

As to the consideration of stopping shipping service if the dispute continues, when did "right of passage" by ship owners/charters become not a legal right in SI? Since when did the Malau passage become an individual right belonging to some individual?

Wantoks, it would be nice if we address those issue knowing where our rights end and where public rights/interests begin. Some of those comments made are insensitive and provocative. Unfortunately the comments made by the legal spoken for our Malau Are-Are wantoks were not helping as far as I am concerned.

Chala · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 254 Location: Fiji

Wantoks,
It seems selfish of these landowners to close the airstrip and allow all community, business and commercial facilities' activities to suffer. The bottom line is everybody suffers including themselves. It is these kinds of problems that disrupt delivery of services or goods around Guale and the country to those that need it. I'm not quite sure how this dispute started but the provincial and national govt are really held at the mercy of these people.
Why cant the govt buy important lands such as this and have ownership of it and so not be influenced by these landowners any further. Sure it means lots of $$$ and time but its worth the trouble. Theres no better time to start than now. Sooner or later with our rapidly increasing population, land disputes will be more rife than ever and development will be affected more so.
Its encouraging to know that the current govt is eager to ensure infrastructure development in the country so I reckon its up to them as well. Perhaps its time the govt review policies regarding land ownership and use to encourage landowners to allow development on their land as well as deter people from disrupting services.
Tingting nomoa ia

Andy · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 302 Location: Qld, Australia

Wantoks,

Can anyone inform this forum as to the land ownership status of the malau airfield? Is it customarily-owned, lease-hold, etc? If lease-hold, who is the leasor and leasee? At the moment the suggestion seems to be that it is customarily-owned. If so what is the dispute about? Is it has to do with two groups claiming the same area which covers the airfield?

My view in all these important issues is for the SIG to lease the land from traditional owners. Therefore, if there is a closure by land-owners, then we know that the SIG (via the ministry of works, aviation) has not been up-date with lease/rental payments. I still remember the frequent closure of the airfield in Aoke. Hence, is the dispute in Malau has to do with competing claims or the SIG failing to pay its rent? We need to know and hope some one tells us.