LOs not consulted, CoI told

THE Commission of Inquiry into the sale and purchase of the Motukea Wharf in Port Moresby has heard that landowners were not compensated or consulted concerning the wharf project.
Commissioner Sike Julian Toulik heard these arguments from seven landowner groups yesterday.
The landowners were giving their submissions in reply to earlier submissions made by lawyer Mal Varitimos on March 24 who represented then Curtain Brothers general manager and Ballimore No. 39 Ltd director Justin McGann.
Noah Ripe of the Inehe incorporated land group said there was a dispute as to how the Motukea land was acquired by both entities.
Ripe said the inquiry was not limited to the amended terms of reference (TOR) concerning the Motukea land.
The amended TOR that Ripe referred to concerning the historical land dealings from the time of acquisition up to the Motukea wharf project.
“No land in British Papua was acquired in that proper land mediation or land investigation reports were conducted,” Ripe added.
Gaudia Ray of the Taumuta clan of Baruni village said there was no land deal between the landowners, Curtain Brothers and Ballimore No.39.
Ray said neither Curtain Brothers nor Ballimore No.39 had shown to the inquiry how they had acquired the Motukea land.
Gaba Govea of the Laurina clan from Tatana village said his people were not compensated from the Motukea wharf project.
“The landowners were never involved in the land dealings with Curtain Brothers,” Govea said.
Varitimos, who objected to all landowner submissions, is expected to give his response today.
Last week senior counsel assisting the inquiry Gibson Geroro said the value of Motukea Wharf was falsely increased by more than K300 million.
He told the inquiry that the correct value was K410 million as per evidence provided by then valuer-general Gabriel Michael who testified in the inquiry last March.
Michael told the inquiry that he increased the sum of the Motukea port valuation from K410 million to K725 million after being pressured by then Lands secretary Romilly Kila Pat and McGann.
Geroro asked the inquiry to accept Michael as a credible witness and accept his evidence in its entirety.
The inquiry is to establish the facts surrounding the relocation of the Port Moresby wharf; the decision on the selection of Motukea and the cost of the relocation as well as individuals and entities that were involved and benefited from the deal.