KPPA aims to recover land within Konebada Petroleum Park Zone this year

Tuesday, 14 January 2025, 4:51 pm

Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru (left) and Konebada Petrleum Park Authority (KPPA) Chairman, Martin Kombri (right).(Image: Supplied)

The Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru and Konebada Petrleum Park Authority [KPPA] Chairman, Martin Kombri will be proactive in recovering Konebada Petroleum Park Zone specified in the National Gazette No. G76 of February 7, 2017.

Minister Maru said Pursuant to Sections 5 and 12 of the Land Act 1996 [as amended], the declaration by the Minister for Lands and Physical Planning on the Konebada Petroleum Park Zone effectively vests ownership of that parcel. That is approximately 23, 000 hectares.

"Any rights and interests that existed on this portion of land prior the Declaration on February 7, 2017, have been nullified. The owner of the land located in Konebada Petroleum Park Zone has been KPPA since that Declaration."

"Any acquisition of parcels of land by whatever means after the declaration, will be null and void if the acquisition was not done with KPPA pursuant to Section 38 of the Konebada Petroleum Park Act 2008 [as amended].

"That is, no land located in the Konebada Petroleum Park Zone may be acquired, disposed of or otherwise dealt with unless KPPA is a party to the dealing or the dealing was and is approved by KPРА."

"Any contrary dealings in the land or interest in the land located in the Konebada Petroleum
Park Zone is null and void and of no effect," Maru said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kombri was tasked to ascertain the status of the land located within the park and further to recover any parcels or pieces of land acquired contrary to Section 38 of the Konebada Petroleum Park Act 2008 (as amended)."

"I now convey my word of appreciation to the KPPA Board for implementing the task by engaging a reputable surveying company and the work had commenced.

"When the status of the land is ascertained, then necessary actions will be embarked on to recover what had been lost through illegal deals and for those parcels of land not affected in any manner will be utilized for the purposes which that land have been acquired for," Minister Maru added.