Motu Koita Customary Land

By Dadi Toka

Today on my way back from a meeting at ExxonMobil LNG Plant Site I noticed an excavator working on a large portion of customary land above Hagara. I stopped the car and enquired with the workers. To my surprise the workers indicated that the customary land had been purchased from Kuriu Varimana ILG group by an individual from Tari. I demanded they stop work and make their way to the Motu Koita Assembly office at City Hall for an urgent meeting between the landowners involved, the buyer and Motu Koita Assembly. 
The outcomes of the meeting was simple. 
STOP WORK. CONSULT THE REST OF THE CLAN. REVIEW THE SALE. 
Varavara bona Bese the selling of our customary land has to stop. 
This saddens me because we are selling off our future for a short term gain. It makes me angry at the selfishness of individuals who claim to represent the best interests of all in their clan.

The Motu Koita Assembly will be announcing a Motu Koita Customary Land Moratorium as soon as the legal instruments are prepared by our lawyer as a priority.
Next month, we will host a series of Motu Koita Customary Land Workshops in each village so our people can better understand and are empowered to make good choices around Customary Land. The dates will be announced in due course. 

Varavara Bona Bese, adurugu, aita gaukara hebou, Ita eda bese ena namo dainai.