K1.2m land deposit paid for Manam resettlement
Displaced people of Manam Island in Madang will soon relocate to their new permanent home at Mumbndap in Bogia after a K1.2 million material deposit payment was handed over to traditional landowners last Friday.
The Manam Resettlement Authority [MaRA] presented three Dyna trucks and four Lucas sawmills to the people of Mumbndap, as a breakthrough for more than 16,000 islanders living in care centres since the 2004 volcanic eruption.
The handover was witnessed by Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa, members of the Provincial Executive Council, and senior officers from the Department of Lands and Physical Planning and Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs.
The 5,400-hectare Mumbndap site [formerly known as Andarum] is located 51.7km inland from Bogia station. One-third of the land lies within the Yawar local level government [LLG] in Bogia, while two-thirds sit in the Josephstaal LLG of Middle Ramu.
MaRA chief executive officer Richard Baia clarified that the vehicles and milling machinery were bought following direct requests from host landowners.
“They requested the trucks and sawmills because they now have a road and a vast forest area they want to mill,” Baia said.
The funds were drawn from a K10 million National Government allocation released in 2025, which included K4 million committed specifically for land acquisition.
Baia said the remaining balance of the K4 million is secured in a trust account managed by a board of trustees.
MaRA chairman Dr Boga Figa commended the resilience of the Manam people and acknowledged early champions of the project, including former judge Paul Akuram and former Madang governor Jim Kas, who pushed through the Manam Resettlement Act.
Land acquisition processes began in July 2013 with a Memorandum of Understanding between the provincial government and landowners. An access road has since been built up to the Renagam River at Sokmun village, with a bridge slated to cross into the main area.
“Manam islanders are now blessed with a second home where you can make gardens, plant coconut, betelnut, and sago without disturbance,” Dr Figa said, adding that residents retain the right to visit their original island home.
Dr Figa also acknowledged outgoing CEO Baia, whose three-year contract has ended, alongside community leaders Nelson Mambote and James Sukua.
Meanwhile, Department of Lands and Physical Planning customary land acquisition director Scott Gumahusa confirmed that while ground work is 90 to 95 per cent complete, the formal signing of the Deed of Release was deferred.
The 5,400ha parcel has been valued at K23 million.
“We cannot sign the Deed of Release yet because it is the legal proof of land sale to the State,” Gumahusa said.
“The deed is only executed when funds are exchanged for land, converting it to State land before issuing titles to authorities like MaRA.”
Representing 44 local host clans, MaRA board member Philip Bangtar thanked the National Government for advancing the long-delayed resettlement project.