CONCERN ON ALLEGED SALE OF LIAPARI ISLAND

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By Brian Mesepitu 

Liapari is an Island located at the southern tip coast of the island of Vella la Vella. It is one of the most prestigious and beautiful islands that attracted so many people both nationally and internationally for business investment purposes.

Liapari Island was once illegally sold by Soso and Sasa who claimed to be natives representing landowners of the so called Sikuni tribe way back in late 1800’s to traders. The plot of land includes alienated lands which since colonial times had then later it’s FTE been sold to “Liapari Resort Ltd” and PE held by the Government.

In 2002, the PE title was transferred by the commissioner of lands to chiefs of Bangatiro village who claimed to be representing the entire Sikuni Tribe.

This transaction however, brought a lot of controversial issues regarding the land and title act which a case was filed in 2013 in the High court of Solomon Islands on grounds of “Fraud and Mistake”. Till now the matter is yet to be resolved, the issue of trusteeship.

Liapari Island is registered under a PE Register, Current Parcels: Number 079-004-2 and 079-004-3, Lot 2 of L.R. 61, Liapari and Barabatu. Its Fixed Term title is currently held by Liapari Resort Ltd and it was a 75years lease term.

The Ownership status of Liapari Island Perpetual Estate now belongs to the people of Sikuni tribe of Vella lavella Island, Western Province, Solomon Islands, and was jointly held by 4 trustees all chiefs of Bangatiro Village, South Vella la vella, Western Province.

The FTE land title is currently held by Liapari Resort Ltd, and it’s for a term of 75years lease period.

The current shareholders of “Liapari Resort Ltd” are, Noel HUDSON 50%, Rosie HUDSON 1%, Heinz Horst Bodo DETTKE 26%, and Mr. Frederick KOLOGETO 24%.

Liapari Resort still exist up until now, running bungalows and providing safe haven for yachts to shelter and seeking services for simple repairs and maintenance.

Just recently there was an information circulating within our communities around Vella lavella stating that the current Shareholders of “Liapari Resort Ltd, are in proposition to sale the company to a Chinese business Investors.

Having heard of this, the landowners are furious about the situation which brings about this hidden agenda. Tensions are rising high amongst the people of the tribe because they have not been consulted for this matter. All protocols with regards to land and title act is clear in the sense that it must be adhere to in every level of consultation for issues regarding Liapari.

Any changes with regards to FTE title for Liapari must be made known by giving notices prior to these changes to be taken place to the principal land owners.

To confirm, there was no consultation and that no notification has ever been made with the PE holder for any negotiation regarding Liapari.

The issue of selling the Island of Liapari is a serious matter of negligence and therefore it needs to be properly investigated. The current move taken by the shareholders of Liapari Resort Ltd which had been overheard is uncalled for and must be discouraged at all cost. No action of such nature will be tolerated by the people of Sikuni tribe hence any consequences of such deal will be taken seriously by all cause.

It must be well noted that whatever negotiation regarding the island of Liapari must involve the PE Title holders and not done in isolation because at the end of all these hard work a waste of energy and valuable resources is evitable.

Liapari Island is a Tourism Hub for the whole Island of Vella la vella, a hotspot and drive location for other priority sectors of developments especially on the socioeconomic developments aspects.

Investors who want to do business in Liapari island must come under the interest of the LO and environment that will be conducive to the people and the surrounding populace. They must adhere to the LO’s investment policies and conditions.

Therefore, the people of Sikuni tribe is calling on the shareholders of Liapari Resort Ltd to refrain from any negotiation to sale PE title holder who represent the so called Sikuni tribe.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article above are that of the author and do not represent SBM in anyway.