A Review of the Implementation of the National Land Development Program in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

This report reviews progress in the implementation of the National Land Development Program (NLDP) in Papua New Guinea. It describes achievements recorded during Phase I of the NLDP, challenges faced in their implementation, and strategies that could be used in Phase II of the NLDP to implement all National Land Development Taskforce (NLDT) recommendations. Following public consultations, the NLDT made 54 recommendations: 47 about Land Administration, one about Land Dispute Settlement, and six about Customary Land Development. The findings revealed that the NLDP has created the legal and administrative processes within which customary land can be made fully productive. However, the full effectiveness of the amended legislation for the registration of Incorporated Land Groups (ILGs) and the Voluntary Customary Land Registration (VCLR) requires the effective operation of the Department of Lands and Physical Planning (DLPP). Both latter sets of the NLDT recommendations were taken forward by the relevant agencies—principally Magisterial Services (MS) with respect to land disputes and the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) with respect to the registration of ILGs and VCLR. Land Court, which was established under MS is currently playing a major role in resolving land-related cases. Awareness programs were undertaken to improve landowners’ understanding of the new legislation by the CLRC. Most of the recommendations for reform of the DLPP have not been implemented, which is apparently leading to a loss of confidence in the new land legislation. It has been difficult to convince commercial banks that the long-term leases of customary land are solid collateral. In order to sustain land reform, it is necessary to strengthen public demand for land reform implementation. The NLDP should continue to support projects that assist in educating the public about the new legislation, and its benefits through promoting pilot projects.