Papuans told to stop the sale of customary land

People from the Papuan Region have been urged to stop selling their customary land and work with their Provincial Governments and the National Lands Department to establish ways to better utilize it.

Minister for Lands and Physical Planning and Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso made this call yesterday while officiating at the opening of the 3 day Papua Governors Dialogue.

Mr Rosso said land is an important part of development, and whilst the Lands Department cannot do much about the sustainability of customary land, he is encouraging the people of Papua to work together with the Department and Provincial Government on the better use of their land.

The Minister also called on the Governor of Central Rufina Peter to work together to find a proper and sustainable way of land use to assist the people of the Papua Region, especially in NCD and Central Province