WORK is currently underway for the transfer of about1000 plots of land in the Western Province that are currently under the custodian of the Commissioner of Lands to the Premier of the Western Provincial Government.
That’s according to the Western Province Premier Billy Veo in an interview with Solomon Star recently.
“Work on fulfilling this land transfer is currently underway. Our lawyer is working on the transfer,” he said.
He said there are many more plots of land that will be transferred to the province once all formalities are done.
Premier said the titles of some of the land plots have been challenged and will need to be settled in court before any transfer can be made.
Some 1000 more plots of land are set to be transferred once they are cleared.
Premier Veo highlighted that the land transfer action is taken in preparation for the statehood.
“This is in preparation for our move to gain state government.
“To prepare the province for the proposed switch, the provincial government must sort out its land issues first.”
Premier said majority of the land plots in Gizo and other centres are illegally occupied and huge work needs to be done to ensure they are properly registered.
He said settlers must also ensure they follow the right procedure to have their land plots registered.
Premier Veo explained that in order for any major development to take place, land must be free from any dispute.
“Therefore, it’s important for all the land in the province to come under the authority of the province,” he added.
The Premier also told the newly appointed Chief Lands Officer Frazer Sike that he must work hard this year to properly address the land issue of Gizo to ensure all land plots are properly registered.
By MOFFAT MAMU
