Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare challenged the 16 Provincial Members of Choiseul Provincial Assembly and two other national MPs (including himself) to work together to keep up the work of the Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Community (LLCTC).
PM Sogavare made the call during his guest of honor speech at the occasion of celebrating the Choiseul Province’s Second Appointed Day this week.
The Prime Minister highlighted that Choiseul Province is the only Province that prides itself for having the mechanism to address landownership through the Province’s customary land tenureship, and it is through the work of the Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Community (LLCTC).
PM Sogavare added that LLCTC started before Choiseul becomes a Province and it is a strategy to address the land disputes associated with development.
“Indeed, the work of the LLCTC on land matters is to identify the ownership of Land in Custom- a major issue which come before our courts for adjudication every year. One would think that given the work that LLCTC has been doing in our province for more than 4 decades, we should be moving ahead of other provinces in addressing land disputes. Unfortunately, we are not”, the Prime Minister has pointed out.
PM Sogavare said that LLCTC have difficulties and one of which is the financial resources to sustain its work.
He challenged all the Lauru people, including the 16 MPAs and two other MPs (including himself) to work together and revive LLCTC.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged LLCTC for its pivotal role in codifying the Province’s customs and traditional practices, the first province do so in the country.
PM Sogavare challenged Lauru people to impart these knowledge to the new generations.
He recommended that a panel of Lauru knowledgeable people is to be established “to develop a curriculum so that we can realistically teach our worthy customs to our new generation”.
The Prime Minister further added that it is sad that Lauru people are practicing introduced cultures and yet dare to call themselves Lauru.
PM Sogavare also acknowledged landowner of Lauru for allowing their lands for development.
PM’S PRESS SECRETARIAT