The Chairman of the Public Services Commission Mr. Apeo Fuata Sione, LM, M. PP yesterday presented a cheque for K350,000. 00 to the Wako Landowner Business Incorporated Group of Mt. Hagen, Western Highlands Province in a ceremony held at the PSC office in Waigani.

The Wako Landowner Business Inc. is the landowner group of Portion 721 in Kagamuga where PSC is currently building its first regional office.

Principal Landowners Mr. Willie Wananga and Mr. Joe Las Wananga of the Yamaka tribe were on hand to receive the cheque and thanked PSC for assisting them to finally receive their land award after waiting for almost 40 years.

“That is our customary land, and our forefathers in their wisdom gave the land on which Portion 721 is also located to the State for infrastructure to be built. So, when they gave that land, the State was supposed to present a land award as a form of appreciation, but that never happened. Our forefathers have followed up on this award for 40 years and many have already passed on, and still, nothing has been forthcoming from the State. When the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) planned to build their office on our land, we raised our grievance with IPA and they went out of their way to help us from which K46,000. 00 was released but the balance is still outstanding”, explained Mr. Willie Wananga.

Mr. Wananga added that when he heard that another government entity was going to build on their land they were frustrated and raised this grievance with the Secretary of the PSC Secretariat Mr. Terence Tupi who was on-site at the time, and Mr. Tupi was very cordial and empathetic and advised them that PSC will take this onboard and assist them.

“The kind assistance from PSC has now seen the landowner group receive this payment today and I want to thank the Chairman, Commissioners, Secretary, and the PSC for their invaluable assistance so that now we see a part payment from the State”, said Mr. Wananga.

PSC Secretary, Mr. Terence Tupi further elaborated that the award was for K700, 000.00 + 50% interest which was to be paid to the landowner group when they gave up their customary land to the State. He said when the Yamaka tribe brought their grievances to PSC whilst he was on site in Mt Hagen, he raised this issue with the PSC Steering Committee which is made up of various government stakeholders in December 2022 and was advised to pay K350, 000.00 from the PSC’s PIP project funds whilst the outstanding balance will be settled by the State through the Department of Finance. This is so that the construction of the PSC office will proceed without any obstacles.

Meantime, the construction of the PSC office in Mt. Hagen is expected to be completed by the end of March 2023.