The Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Land Board has concluded its hearing for 200 blocks and title issuance for people in the Sikut Talvat Resettlement area under the Rabaul District in East New Britian province. The Land Board Hearing, according to a statement, was conducted at Malapau Conference Centre in Kokopo from June 4 - 7, 2024. This exercise is in line with the commitment made by Prime Minister (PM) James Marape on March 10th to hand over titles to block holders when ENB marks the 30th anniversary of the twin volcanic eruptions. National Land Board Chairman, George Gware at the conclusion of the 4 days hearing described the plight of the Talvat people as unfortunate when they were displaced 30 years ago from their original home by the twin volcanic eruptions. He thanked the board for convening in Kokopo to try and assist the process put in place by the ENB Provincial Administration through the Division of Lands and the Department of Lands and Physical Planning. “We came and we knew that we need to sit down and ensure that the 200 applicants must be processed and managed to get it all done.” “So, come September 200 titles can be issued to block holders and that will be an end of one chapter and beginning of new one for our people,” Gware said. Following the hearing, the board will do a decision and the Department of Lands and Physical Planning will advise the applicants. “Other provinces can also learn from this and hoped people facing similar problems are able to address their problems about land and people being displaced.” Meanwhile, ENB Provincial Administrator, Levi Mano commended the National Land Board hearing, saying that it was a milestone for the province, and it has lifted a great burden from the province faced for the past 30 years. He added that it was a boost for the provincial administration in enforcing land laws. Mano said the people of Sikut Talvat have lived in doubt for the past 30 years and faced problems with the nearby indigenous people. Following the 1994 volcanic eruptions, ENB has established 8 resettlement areas including Sikut Talvat, which is the first identified for issuance of titles under the Land Mobilization program. Furthermore, Mano acknowledged the support of the ENB Governor Michael Marum, the two Open Members for Rabaul and Kokopo and key provincial administration officers in working tirelessly with the limited time frame. Piner Kolish, a Talvat elder described the process as a golden opportunity for the people of Sikut Talvat, saying the Government has come right down to the ward level. “When we were displaced from our home and placed in care centers in 1995, we dreamt of owning land and now we can finally realize this.”