Nearly 250 community members of Yule Island gathered at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby to voice their concerns over the recent National Gazette notice on Wednesday 29th January 2025, declaring their ancestral land will soon be government-owned.
The event was held in the Indoor complex with members of all ages in and around Port Moresby listening attentively and ready to support each other.
The awareness event was spearheaded by local leaders, including Mr. Alfred Aruru, Chairman of Wholesome Bay Sustainable Development Limited, who emphasized the community’s situation and legal options to challenge the state’s claim.
The meeting provided a platform for more than 15 elders to express their frustration, stressing that the 670.8-hectare land on Yule Island has been inhabited by their ancestors long before Papua New Guinea’s independence.
They argued that the government’s decision to classify the land as National Land, without proper consultation, was a violation of their rights.
Mr. Aruru who recently informed the locals by a visit to the island on Wednesday 19th March 2025, informed locals about the 90-day objection period provided in the Land Commission Act 2022.
He assured them that steps were already being taken to file a formal objection against the state’s claim.
“This land has been occupied by our people for generations. The government cannot make decisions like this without first consulting those who have lived here for centuries,” Mr. Aruru stated.
He urged the community to remain united and proactive in their fight.
Acknowledging the legal 90-days timeframe for objections, Mr. Aruru emphasized that the community’s immediate priority was to ensure their case was presented without delays or setbacks.
He reassured attendees that their legal strategy would be structured to eliminate any loopholes that might weaken their objection.
Despite limited number of individuals and families from Yule Island in the city, strong determination and collective support has been declared.
Yule Islanders are now mobilizing to challenge the state’s claim and protect their ancestral land, ensuring their voices are heard at the highest level.