16 Jan 2006

Guadalcanal landowners restate demands to Solomons government

3:06 pm on 16 January 2006

Demands continue to be raised by indigenous landowners in Solomon Islands for land on Guadalcanal to be returned to them.

Malaitans settlers on the fringe of Honiara City boundary and the Lungga area have formed a committee demanding government solve the issue quickly to avoid problems.

The three landowning tribes say they want the return of the land or they will block the reopening of the Gold Ridge Mine.

The Burns Creek committee has handed in a report on the issue to the Minister of Reconciliation and Peace, saying the report reflects how the settlers feel about the issue and what they see options.

However, the Commissioner of Lands, Alfred Soaki, and the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Edward Kingmele, have both revealed they are yet to sight any documents relating to the issue.